Surge of COVID cases prompts Rep. Debbie Dingell to hold virtual town hall

State health officials ring alarm as omicron variant spreads at rapid pace

DETROIT – This was the chance for viewers to have an intimate discussion with State Rep. Debbie Dingell and other leaders about COVID-19.

Everyone involved in a town hall Tuesday had the chance to speak their minds about where we are in the pandemic.

“You’ve got four women here who know how people feel and a lot of very conflicted emotions about COVID right now,” Dingell said. “I think the biggest one is: we’re all sick of it.”

Dingell and Michigan’s health director Elizabeth Hertel answered COVID questions and concerns over Facebook for about an hour. Questions were about a wide range of topics, from vaccination to the current, record-setting surge in Michigan.

“We are heading toward what may be a very sharp increase,” Hertel said. “We will see a hospital increase.”

On a more local level, Dr. Emily Martin with the University of Michigan, and Washtenaw County Health Officer Jimena Loveluck talked about the rise in cases and a potential end to the surge.

“Clearly, we are in a very concerning situation and we are all worried about omicron and the rising cases we’re seeing in the state and Washtenaw County,” Loveluck said.

“Based on how this virus behaved in South Africa and the UK, models are estimating that we have about 4-6 weeks left to go,” Martin said. “I know everyone is tired, but I don’t think this is going to last forever.”


About the Authors:

Victor Williams joined Local 4 News in October of 2019 after working for WOIO in Cleveland, OH, WLOX News in Biloxi, MS, and WBBJ in Jackson, TN. Victor developed a love for journalism after realizing he was a great speaker and writer at an early age.

Brandon Carr is a digital content producer for ClickOnDetroit and has been with WDIV Local 4 since November 2021. Brandon is the 2015 Solomon Kinloch Humanitarian award recipient for Community Service.