Hi there,
Winter is officially here as marked by some very cold days and even a bit of snow here and there! I hope everyone is staying cozy, healthy and safe during these winter months. While it hasn’t happened yet in our neck of the woods, there has been some severe winter weather in other parts of the country. Below, we included some tips to help you plan to keep your family safe if a winter storm reaches us in Oakland County.
Unfortunately, this winter, we are also being inundated with surges of COVID cases. Right now, our positivity rate in Oakland County is 31.5% (Jan. 13 to Jan.19 2022). And this doesn’t include positive test results from home testing, so we assume the rate is even higher. Just around Halloween we were at 8.9% positivity.
I have heard from so many people who are beginning to feel defeated because they or a loved one is fully vaccinated, maybe even boosted, and still recently got COVID. Let’s begin to rethink the way we think about breakthrough infections. No vaccine is 100% effective, including all COVID-19 vaccines. When a virus is more infectious, more cases will occur even if vaccinated and that is expected. Combine that with variant strains that mutate to trick our immune systems, allowing infections even if you have built up some immunity.
Vaccines are one of many tools that, most importantly, are helping to prevent serious illness. Less severity means less of a chance you will be hospitalized or die from a COVID infection. Add a booster shot too, and your chances of becoming severely ill are even lower than if you are only fully vaccinated. As new COVID cases spread rapidly, please get vaccinated, including a booster shot. See if you are eligible here. Regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask when you gather or are in close contact with others and in public indoor settings. Hear the latest from our Medical Director, Dr. Russell Faust:
And if you haven’t yet, it not too late to get your flu shot too. We are also in the middle of flu season. You can get a flu vaccine at the same time you get a COVID-19 vaccine, including a COVID-19 booster.
In good health,
Leigh-Anne Stafford, Director, Health and Human Services
Health Division offers COVID-19 testing sites
Due to the record numbers of COVID-19 cases, Oakland County offers COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites at the following locations:
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Southfield Pavilion Parking Deck: 26000 Evergreen Rd., Southfield; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays
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Rochester Fire Department: 277 E. 2nd, Rochester; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays thru Jan. 25
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The former Pontiac Fire Station: 348 South Blvd. West, Pontiac; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Make an appointment by clicking here or contact our Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533. PCR tests are performed at these sites.
Appointments are strongly encouraged. Same day drive-up appointments are available for those who are unable to schedule an appointment, but those with no appointment may experience extended wait times. Drive-ups will not be accepted after 3 p.m.
If these sites don’t work for you, there are many to choose from in Oakland County! Visit the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Test Finder to find one near you.
Rapid home tests are also becoming more available:
- Every home in the U.S. can now order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. There are no shipping costs, and you don’t need to enter a credit card number. Visit covidtests.gov.
Private insurers are now required to cover up to eight FDA-approved over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per month for each person covered by a health plan.
Stay safe during winter storms
If you have lived in Michigan for any amount of time, you know it can be 50 degrees one day, and a blizzard the next. Winter weather can create a higher risk for car accidents, hypothermia, carbon monoxide poisoning and heart attacks from over exertion. Check out these tips to keep you and your family safe in a winter storm.
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Pay attention to reports and warnings of freezing weather and winter storms.
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Stay off roads, if possible, during winter storms. If trapped in your car, stay inside.
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Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, wear layers of warm clothing.
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Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power.
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Create an emergency supply kit for your car.
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Learn the signs of and basic treatments for frostbite and hypothermia.
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Check on neighbors. Older adults and young children are more at risk in extreme cold.
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Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.
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Reduce the risk of a heart attack. Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow.
Read more information about how to stay safe in winter weather.
It’s not too late to get your flu shot!
While it is best to get your flu vaccine early in the season, getting vaccinated later is still beneficial, even into January or later. Flu season in the United States runs from October to May, with most cases happening from late December to early March. Flu shots help protect you from getting sick with the flu and prevents you from passing it on to others. Everyone aged 6 months and older is recommended to receive annual flu vaccine.
You can get a flu vaccine at the same time you get a COVID-19 vaccine, including a COVID-19 booster shot.
Flu shots are available at both our Pontiac and Southfield Health Division offices. No appointment is necessary. Walk-in hours for flu shots:
- Monday: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Tuesday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Health Division COVID-19 vaccination sites & info
Check out our Get Vaccinated page for information about upcoming COVID vaccination sites and who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments are strongly recommended and can be made online or by calling our Nurse on Call hotline at 1-800-848-5533 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.).
At least 79% of those 12 years and older and 38.2% 5-11 years old have received at least their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Visit the state’s COVID-19 vaccine dashboard and the Oakland County Vaccine Hub for even more vaccination data.
Oakgov.com/health is the best place to receive the latest information. Add, update, or opt out of Health Division email or text communications by clicking here. Help us know more about you, our readers, and what you may like to learn in future editions by completing this quick survey.
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