Update on Community Health from Dr. Mercatante

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer for the St. Clair County Health Department, provided an update to local media on Wednesday to discuss the state of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rescission of quarantine orders, and containing other respiratory viruses that are circulating in our communities.

After a period where COVID-19 cases were on the rise, Dr. Mercatante said that current data suggests that the county is approaching a plateau of new cases. As of Wednesday, October 20, 2021, the Health Department’s website showed 1,211 active cases of the virus with 12.64% of inpatient hospital beds being used for COVID-19 patients.

The Health Department’s Quarantine order was rescinded at the end of September and replaced with recommendations for quarantine. Dr. Mercatante reports that while there are a small number of people pushing back against the recommendations when public health nurses contact them about exposure to the virus, morale remains high, and nurses are continuing to perform contact tracing duties to inform the public and attempt to reduce transmission.

As cold and flu season approach, Dr. Mercatante wants to remind the public that the same practices that reduce the transmission of COVID-19 will work for other respiratory viruses. She recommends masking, hand washing, and physical distancing to avoid getting others sick.

“Every layer that burdens the health care system creates problems,” said Dr. Mercatante. She also noted that Michigan’s major hospitals have issued statements about RSV as cases have been much higher than normal around the U.S. since summer.

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, primarily affects children and can be serious for babies or kids with immune issues. To learn more about the virus in Michigan, visit Children’s Hospital’s website here: https://www.childrensdmc.org/news/newsroom/another-respiratory-virus-rsv-is-surging-in-michigan-children

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

 

Incarcerated Mothers and their Babies Get Help with New Corrections Policy

Babies born to mothers who are serving time in prison could get off to a better start thanks to new policy directives meant to help newborn babies and offer adequate medical care to incarcerated mothers.

The Michigan Department of Corrections is formalizing its current practices such as limiting restraints during delivery and providing pain relief, while also giving new mothers time with their babies after delivery.

In reference to the practices, Michigan Department of Corrections Director Heidi Washington said, “We are pleased to be able to build upon our past practices and policies to further enhance our commitment to providing a safe experience for women who come to us while pregnant and are under our care and supervision.” 

Washington said that care is taken to “ensure pregnant and post-partum prisoners have their physical and mental health needs met during this time.” 

Under the new directive, incarcerated women will be able to have a support person present during labor and will be able to visit with their newborns under most circumstances. 

The directive was advocated by State Senator Erika Geiss, who called the measures a way to reduce generational trauma. 

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland

Drive-Thru Halloween Stroll Coming to Desmond Landing

The Port Huron Parks & Recreation Department is preparing for their annual Halloween Stroll at Desmond Landing on Saturday, October 30th.

Families should register by Friday, October 29th to reserve their space and receive the pre-registration discount of $8 per car for Port Huron residents and $10 per car for non-residents.

Kati Gardner, Co-Supervisor of the Port Huron Recreation Department, is the event coordinator for the Halloween Stroll. She said, “Many local businesses have shown a great interest in this event, and we are excited to offer the Halloween stroll, once again, to our community. We are looking forward to this year and are really encouraging participants to decorate their cars to add to the festivities.”

The Halloween Stroll is a drive-thru event with fun stations along the way including trick-or-treating, Halloween inflatables, and the chance to see fire trucks and other vehicles up close.

To register for the event, visit porthuronrec.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Still Time to Register to Vote in November Election

If you haven’t registered to vote in the November election, there is still time to register in person at your local clerk’s office. Online registration is now close, so an in-person visit will be necessary to get your vote counted.

There won’t be a November election for Port Huron or Fort Gratiot voters this year, but many of the smaller townships are holding elections along with the cities of Richmond and St. Clair.

Voters who register in person at the local clerk’s office can also apply for an absentee ballot, vote their ballot, and return it in the same trip.

If you have already requested and received your absentee ballot, you must return it as soon as possible at your local clerk’s office or ballot drop box.

To find out what’s on the ballot in your area, visit Michigan.gove/vote

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

McLaren Festival of Trees to Raise Funds for New Breast Cancer Detection Equipment

McLaren Hospital in Port Huron is getting ready for the upcoming holiday season and observing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month by announcing their plans for this year’s Festival of Trees.

This year’s Festival will be raising money for breast imaging services in the Demashkieh Women’s Wellness Place. The hospital is hoping to purchase the Hologic Upright Breast Biopsy Guidance system, which features 3D stereotactic biopsy capabilities.

The updated technology gives patients a better experience with enhanced imaging capabilities. The machine provides less x-ray exposure and less time under compression, which is welcome news for women who have undergone compression biopsies.

The Festival of Trees offers many levels of sponsorship and community members will be able to check out the ornately decorated trees in the South, North, and Karmanos lobbies of McLaren Port Huron Hospital. The annual fundraiser will be held on the main floor of the hospital in all of the public areas from Thanksgiving through the New Year.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Car Dealerships Get Flexibility in Business Hours with New Law

Did you know that the Michigan Vehicle Code regulates the number of hours per week in which car dealerships must be open to customers? The Code has now been amended with the signing of Senate Bill 128, which gives car dealerships flexibility in their operating hours.

When Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the bill, she said, “Senate Bill 128 lifts restrictions for Michigan car dealerships without compromising opportunities for consumers. This bill is a great example of the positive difference we can make for Michiganders.”  

Before the new law, the Michigan Vehicle Code stated that car dealerships must be open for at least 30 hours per week for 52 weeks each year. Dealerships were facing hardship in staying open for that many hours to accommodate necessary closures, emergencies, and vacations.

The Michigan Vehicle Code still contains many specific codes for dealerships including square footage requirements, structural specifications, and others. 

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2021-2022/billenrolled/Senate/pdf/2021-SNB-0128.pdf

 Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland