05/07/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/07/2021 13:40
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2021
Contact: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112
LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has revised its epidemic order for COVID-19 testing in long-term care facilities across the state to reflect current guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Under changes to the COVID-19 testing order for skilled nursing facilities, homes for the aged and adult foster care facilities licensed to care for 13 or more individuals, fully vaccinated staff no longer must be routinely tested. This order is effective immediately.
'Getting the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community,' said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. 'The increases we are seeing in Michiganders receiving their vaccine, including among long-term care patients and staff, is allowing us make this change to testing requirements in these facilities.'
Testing continues to be required under the following circumstances:
More than 289,000 doses of vaccine have been administered to long-term care patients and staff. All facilities have first dose clinics completed with 98% completing second dose clinics. Third clinics to vaccinate anyone from the second clinic that needs their second dose have been completed at 99.5% of these facilities. Facilities are responsible for requesting, obtaining and maintaining a record of vaccination status for all residents and staff members.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine.
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