Cases, hospitalizations, and deaths remained high through early December, threatening hospital and public health capacity. On December 7, 2020, December 18, 2020, and January 13, 2021, MDHHS issued orders sustaining those protections. These orders played a crucial role in slowing the spread in Michigan and have brought new cases down to about 1,500 per day.
We have received several inquiries concerning the KN95 masks manufactured by Anhui Subolun Co., as there was a 2020 report of counterfeit masks being sold under this name. We have verified that our masks were purchased from the manufacturer and have reviewed third party testing reports indicating they meet the KN95 requirements. Private businesses, organizations, schools and childcares may require you to wear a mask. Thank you for respecting people’s choices to continue to wear a mask. Double up your masks if you do not have access to a high-filtration mask. Single layer masks are less effective, so wear a cloth mask with multiple layers or wear a cloth mask over a surgical mask.
In New Jersey, COVID 19 Test Kitss are no longer required in most outdoor and indoor settings. Masks are strongly encouraged for any in-person meetings or group activities in conference rooms or other indoor spaces—regardless of vaccination status. Cloth masks, made from tightly woven, breathable fabric, need to have multiple layers to increase protection.
The finalists in the BARDA challenge each offer unique improvements. In Airgami’s case, beauty is important, says Gordon, an electrical and computer engineer—but that’s not why he and Xiao entered the field. Their quest began well before the pandemic, when they moved to Suzhou, China, in 2011 for Xiao’s new job. Pollution there was horrible, and the N95 masks they had brought, made by 3M for construction workers, didn’t fit their young son.
Healthcare metrics continue to improve in Michigan but remain higher than what was seen prior to the second surge. An average of 150 daily hospital admissions was seen in Michigan in the last week, with individuals under the age of 60 accounting for a third of all new admissions. There are fewer than 1,400 Michiganders currently hospitalized for COVID-19 and 6.8% of all Medical masks available inpatient beds are occupied by patients who have COVID-19. The state death rate is 4.9 deaths per million people and there are approximately 350 weekly deaths in Michigan attributable to COVID-19. This is a 64% decrease from the second peak, which reached 13.7 deaths per million on December 10, 2020. Emergency procedures shall not be limited to this code.
Individuals should wear masks according to community transmission level per CDC guidance. Individuals are urged to follow CDC guidance for wearing a mask where required by law, rule, and regulations, including healthcare, local business and workplace face mask guidance. Individuals who are close contacts of a person with COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19 should wear a face covering when around other people for 10 days. Masks remain required in certain healthcare and congregate settings.
To ensure effectiveness, it’s important to buy authentic N95 and KN95 masks. Buy directly from the manufacturer’s website or a reputable site. If the mask is disposable, discard it when visibly soiled or damaged.