Complete Story
12/08/2020
COVID-19 Updates from Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky
Ohio State Updates: 12/2 - 12/8
Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted announced the approval of assistance for 16 projects set to create 4,183 new jobs and retain 1,051 jobs statewide. During its monthly meeting, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) reviewed economic development proposals brought to the board by JobsOhio and its regional partners. Collectively, the projects are expected to result in more than $240 million in new payroll and spur more than $864 million in investments across Ohio.
Ohio Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff discussed new quarantine guidance recently issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for those who may have been exposed to coronavirus but are not showing symptoms.
Following the study of emerging data and a growing confidence in testing, CDC's new guidance has two options depending on the situation:
- 10-day quarantine that does not require testing, provided there are no symptoms
- 7-day quarantine if test results are negative, provided there are no symptoms
The Ohio Department of Health, however, continues to recommend a 14-day quarantine for many citizens in Ohio.
Governor DeWine announced details for Ohio's first phase of vaccine distribution that is expected to begin on or around December 15. During Phase 1, vaccine supply will be limited, and Ohio will focus on vaccinating those who wish to be vaccinated in the critical Phase 1A groups – health care workers, first responders, and nursing homes/assisted living facilities.
The governor continued a travel advisory for all individuals coming into Ohio from states reporting positive COVID-19 testing rates of 15% or higher. Those traveling from one of the following states should self-quarantine for 14 days at home or in a hotel: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Utah. The self-quarantine recommendation applies to those who live in Ohio and to people who are traveling into Ohio from any of these states. Ohio's positivity rate, an indicator of the percentage of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, was 16.1% over the last 7 days (up from 15.1%). Visit www.coronavirus.ohio.gov for tips on how to effectively quarantine.
Ohio recorded an increase in new COVID-19 cases, with an average of 11,732 new cases per day over the last 7 days compared to an average of 7,187 new cases per day over the previous 7 days. On December 8, there were over 25,000 COVID-19 positive cases reported due to a backlog in tests. This inflated and skewed the average cases for the week.
Michigan State Updates: 12/2 - 12/8
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has extended by 12 days the epidemic order that restricts indoor social gatherings and other group activities. The additional 12 days will allow the department to determine the full impact of the Thanksgiving holiday on the spread of COVID-19 across Michigan. Under the order, MDHHS continues to urge families to avoid indoor gatherings, and only two households may gather inside, with strict protocols recommended. Individuals should wear masks consistently whenever they are inside with individuals not in their household, and are recommended to pick only a small group to see regularly. Bars and restaurants must remain closed for dine-in service, but can remain open for outdoor dining, carry-out and delivery. Gyms are open for individual exercise with mandatory masking and additional strict safety measures. Casinos, movie theaters and group exercise classes remain closed. Professional and college sports meeting extraordinary standards for risk mitigation may continue without spectators. Colleges, universities and high schools will continue with remote learning, with no in-person classes. The order will keep existing measures in place through December 20 and does not include a blanket stay-home action. MDHHS also identified three key metrics that will be utilized in determining whether to slowly reopen at the end of the 12 days.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has updated guidance on COVID-19 quarantine periods based on scientific findings released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday, December 2.
MDHHS is updating guidance to allow modifications to the quarantine period for Michigan residents in specific situations. While the standard 14-day quarantine period remains, it can be reduced to 10 days if the following two conditions exist:
- The individual does not develop any symptoms or clinical evidence of COVID-19 infection during daily symptom monitoring for the 10 days after the last exposure.
- Daily symptom monitoring continues through day 14 after the last exposure.
To prioritize worker safety and health, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) inspected and issued COVID-19 “general duty” citations to nine different businesses with serious violations for failing to protect workers and take safety precautions.
The MIOSHA “general duty” clause requires an employer to provide a workplace that is free from recognized hazards that are causing, or are likely to cause, death or serious physical harm to the employee. A general duty clause citation carries a fine of up to $7,000. On-site inspections conducted by MIOSHA’s general industry and construction industry enforcement divisions determined nine companies allegedly committed serious violations by failing to implement necessary precautions to protect employees from contracting COVID-19. Deficiencies included a lack of health screenings, face coverings, employee training, cleaning measures and overall preparedness plans. The cited companies will have 15 working days from receipt of the MIOSHA citations to contest the violations and penalties. The citations include suggestions to fix the hazards to protect employees. Employers must provide proof to MIOSHA that abatement has been completed. A cited employer may choose to enter into a Penalty Reduction Agreement (PRA) with MIOSHA and agree to abate noted hazards by the abatement date provided within the citation and will receive a 50% reduction in penalties. By entering into the PRA an employer must also agree to not seek an appeal.
New Michigan COVID-19 cases have decreased slightly last week with an average of 6,809 new cases per day over the last 7 days compared to an average of 6,823 new cases per day over the previous 7 days. Day-to-day numbers continue to fluctuate.
Kentucky State Updates: 12/2 - 12/8
On Friday, December 4, Governor Beshear signed an executive order that extends previous orders allowing pharmacists to dispense 30-day refills. The current executive order is set to expire Saturday at midnight; the new order will be effective for 30 days beginning December 4.
The governor asked all Kentuckians to redouble their efforts to fight COVID-19 as Kentucky surpassed 200,000 reported cases of coronavirus in the commonwealth – exactly nine months since the state’s first reported case. These are difficult numbers, having passed 200,000 cases and earlier this week passing 2,000 deaths. And now this is our highest week to date. The red zone counties for this week can be found here. Community leaders, businesses, schools and families in these counties should all follow red zone reduction recommendations, as well as other orders and guidance.
Gov. Beshear expects Kentucky will receive approximately: 38,000 Pfizer doses the week of December 13-19; 76,000 Moderna doses the week of December 20-26; and more than 33,000 Moderna doses from December 27-31. He reminded Kentuckians that while these numbers are the state’s best estimate at this time based on available information from the federal government, they are subject to change.
New COVID-19 cases have increased in Kentucky this week, with an average of 3,278 new cases per day over the last 7 days compared to an average of 2,972 new cases per day over the previous 7 days. Day-to-day numbers continue to fluctuate.
