Governor Whitmer shares update on Michigan’s COVID-19 response

LANSING, Mich.—Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday, along with state officials, gave an update to Michigan’s COVID-19 response.

Whitmer said that the state is in the "worst part of this pandemic to date."

“This is the moment that medical experts have warned us about and dreaded since the start of the pandemic,” Whitmer said.

Michigan reported 6,940 new cases of COVID-19 and 45 new deaths on Thursday.

Whitmer said that residents should continue following MDHHS guidelines by wearing face masks, practicing social distancing, regularly washing hands and getting a flu shot.

The governor said hospitals are at risk of facing another PPE shortage as well as staffing shortages if cases continue to increase at the current rate.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state's deputy health director, said that ICUs are filling up and some are at capacity.

“Winter holidays simply cannot be the same this year. This is not the time for travel for the holidays,” Khaldun.

Whitmer recommended that Thanksgiving meals be held virtually this year and to avoid holding in-person gatherings with those outside of your household.