LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said during a Monday news conference that the state will be extending COVID-19 restrictions for 12 more days.
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The full effect of Thanksgiving gatherings will not be seen until two to three weeks afterward, and the state needs more time to look at the numbers, Whitmer said.
SEE MORE: Coronavirus in West Michigan
“Hope is on the horizon, but we need an additional 12 days to determine the full impact of the Thanksgiving holiday on our efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus,” Whitmer said. “This is all about protecting our families and frontline workers until we eradicate this virus once and for all. With recent daily case counts averaging well above 6,000, the daily death toll at alarming levels and the risk of hospitals becoming overwhelmed, we must work together as Michiganders and listen to our health experts. This may be the most difficult time yet in our struggle with COVID-19, but there is light at the end of the tunnel."
The governor also again urged the state Legislature and federal government to help unemployed workers and businesses struggling, as well as codify mask requirements.
She was joined by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Joneigh Khaldun and MDHHS Director Robert Gordon.
Khaldun said the state's percentage of COVID-19 tests coming back positive remains high at more than 14%.
“We each have a personal responsibility to wear a mask consistently and minimize indoor gatherings, so we can protect our frontline heroes and loved ones,” MDHHS Director Robert Gordon said. “If we don’t, the disease will continue to spread and people will continue to get sick and die.”
SEE MORE: Here are the COVID-19 metrics Michigan officials will monitor before safely reopening
SEE MORE: Michigan leaders, organizations react to partial COVID-19 shutdown extension
The state's "three-week pause" with new restrictions designed to curb the spread of the virus put in place last month was set to expire Tuesday night.
Michigan hospitals and health systems on Monday urged the state to extend the order, saying it has helped stabilize hospitalizations.
SEE MORE: Michigan hospitals, health systems urge state to extend epidemic order