MARQUETTE — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has updated its COVID-19 testing requirements for long-term care facilities, officials announced Friday.

The MDHHS revised Epidemic Order MCL 333.2253 in order to reflect current guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Effective immediately, fully vaccinated staff employed at skilled nursing facilities, homes for the aged and adult foster care facilities no longer need to be routinely tested for COVID-19.

“Getting the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community,” MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said in a news release. “The increases we are seeing in Michiganders receiving their vaccine, including among long-term care patients and staff, is allowing us to make this change to testing requirements in these facilities.”

The revised order continues to require routine testing under the following circumstances:

≤ Initial testing of all new or returning residents to a facility covered by this order and newly hired staff when the individual is unvaccinated and has not been tested in the 72 hours prior to intake or start date;

≤ Testing any resident or staff member with symptoms of COVID-19 or suspected exposure to COVID-19, regardless of that individual’s vaccination status;

≤ Weekly testing of all residents and staff in facilities experiencing an outbreak (any facility-acquired positive cases among residents or staff) until 14 days after the last new positive case, regardless of vaccination;

≤ Weekly testing of all unvaccinated staff.

More than 289,000 doses of vaccine have been administered to long-term care patients and staff as of Friday, according to the release. All facilities statewide have completed first-dose clinics, with 98% of facilities have completed second-dose clinics.

Jalen Rose partners with state to promote vaccines

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist recently visited the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy’s community vaccination site in Detroit to observe ongoing COVID-19 vaccination efforts and ensure that vaccines are being distributed efficiently and equitably, according to a news release.

“Our administration has been working around the clock to expand our vaccine program in an efficient and equitable manner so that every Michigander has access to the safe and effective vaccines,” Gilchrist said in a statement. “Neighborhood-based vaccination efforts like the ones at the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy are crucial to beating COVID-19. This virus has disproportionately impacted Detroit, so it is crucial that we all do our part to get vaccinated to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The sooner we all get vaccinated, the sooner we can get back to doing the things we love together.”

“I am thankful to the lieutenant governor for taking the time and energy to be here,” said Rose, the former National Basketball Association star and current ESPN analyst. “This is the charity that makes it to the communities. I am thankful for the support. Take the time to get vaccinated because we need to beat this thing.”

54% of residents vaccinated

The Associated Press reported Friday that 54% of Michigan residents ages 16 and up have gotten at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

That number puts the state at nearly 55% of vaccinated residents, the first of four benchmarks in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s plan to reopen the state based on vaccination data.

After achieving 55% or 4,453,304 residents, plus two weeks, the Whitmer Administration will allow in-person work for all sectors of business.

According to the AP report, the state added 227,000 residents to its vaccine count after factoring in people who received their vaccine outside the state or at federal facilities.

Whitmer’s three remaining benchmarks are set at 60%, 65% and 70%.

When the state reaches the 60% mark, or 4,858,150 residents, it will increase capacity at indoor sports stadiums, conference centers, banquet halls and funeral homes to 25%, increase capacity at exercise facilities and gyms to 50% and lift the curfew on restaurants and bars.

At the 65% mark, or 5,262,996 residents, the state will lift all indoor capacity limits, requiring only social distancing between parties, and will further relax limits on residential social gatherings.

Once the state achieves its overall goal of 70% vaccinated, or 5,667,842 residents, it will lift the Gatherings and Face Masks Order completely, and the MDHHS will no longer employ broad mitigation measures unless unanticipated circumstances arise, such as the spread of vaccine-resistant variants.

Each benchmark comes with a two-week waiting period after they’re achieved.

For the latest COVID-19 information in Michigan, visit www.Michigan.gov/coronavirus.