COVID-19: 10 cases diagnosed per second around the globe as year ends
The rise of the omicron variant has led to a massive surge in cases, during the last few days of 2021.
Staff Video, USA TODAY
Michigan — much like the rest of the country —is taking a hit from the fast spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19.
After the state last week hit more daily coronavirus cases than ever before, schools announced delayed reopenings after the holidays, more flights were canceled, and businesses were back to rethinking their schedules.
In light of the new Michigan coronavirus record reported on Dec. 19 — an average of 12,929 per day — here's how Michiganders are responding:
K-12 schoolsAnn Arbor Public Schools Superintendent Jeanice Swift said a temporary switch to virtual learning for the first few days will allow time for "critical steps" to mitigate concerns "exacerbated by the current COVID-19 Omicron surge."
"The health and safety of our students and staff continue as our top priority," Swift said in a statement. "We also continue our focused work to prioritize in-school learning. We are using all the tools we have implemented and refined during this past year to maintain the priority of critical in-school learning for our students across our AAPS classrooms on as many days as possible, even as we face this current winter surge."
Schools district changes include:
Detroit Public Schools: Delayed start, no in-person or online learning from Monday to Wednesday. Further directions will be posted on Wednesday.
More: COVID-19 omicron cases could disrupt Michigan schools' return to classes
More: Detroit school district delays return, to require COVID testing for in-person learning
Ann Arbor Public Schools: Open for virtual remote learning on Wednesday through Friday. School officials anticipate a return to in-school learning for students and staff on Jan. 10.
Lansing Schools: Virtual education this full week. All teachers and staff will report to their schools and buildings, but students will attend online.
Pontiac School District: Virtual learning until Jan. 18.
Some schools will continue to provide technology or meals typically provided during school hours. Check individual districts' websites for more information.
UniversitiesUniversities, too, have changed plans amid the surge. These include:
Michigan State University: Virtual classes for three weeks beginning on Jan. 10
Eastern Michigan University: Remote learning from Jan. 10 through Jan. 17.
Wayne State University: Online classes through the end of January.
Oakland University: Virtual classes through Jan. 17 and a return to in-person classes after that, "barring a further need to respond to pandemic conditions."
College for Creative Studies: Remote learning through the month of January, as well as other efforts to de-densify the campus.
FlightsFlights across the country have been delayed since the omicron surge began. With increased travel for the holiday season and many employees calling out sick, it's hard to keep up with the demand.
As of Sunday evening, 119 flights were canceled into and out of Detroit Metro Airport, according to flight tracking site Flight Aware. Another 299 were delayed.
BusinessesBusinesses are having to make tough decisions to keep their staff and customers safe.
While some restaurants and small businesses don't want to close, they're wildly understaffed as employee after employee tests positive, the Atlantic reported.
Penzeys, a spice business with locations scattered across the country, including one in Beverly Hills, Michigan, is closing all in-store shopping for three weeks due to the sharp increase in cases, according to a news release.
"Looking at it all, it sure seems like with how very contagious Omicron is, we can either close stores now to in-store shopping and continue sales through touchless pickup, or we can keep stores open to in-store shopping for a little bit longer only to be forced to completely shut stores for extended periods because we don't have healthy employees to run them," Penzeys said in a news release. "We think the safer option is more in keeping with the kindness at the heart of cooking and who we want to be."
Mitigation and preventionMichigan has more COVID-19 cases than ever before, and hospitals are overwhelmed. But there are tools at the public's disposal to stay healthy and protect all sectors of life, public health officials have said.
The omicron variant underscores the importance of Michiganders practicing COVID mitigation factors, "which include getting coronavirus vaccines, including a booster dose if you're eligible, wearing masks in indoor public spaces and avoiding large gatherings, Chelsea Wuth, spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, previously said.
"As more individuals are vaccinated, it is less likely that the virus will circulate and mutate, avoiding the development of more transmissible and vaccine-resistant variants in the future," Wuth said.
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