Kalamazoo Times

Michigan’s top health official seems to contradict Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s statements on how COVID-19 is spreading, Michigan Capitol Confidential reported.

Instead of bars and social gatherings, it may actually be nursing homes where the virus is spreading the fastest.

Whitmer, in a July 29 press conference, said, “After seeing a resurgence in cases connected to social gatherings across the state, we must further limit gatherings for the health of our community and economy," according to Michigan Capitol Confidential.

The governor’s executive order attributes the resurgence to "super-spreading events at large social gatherings."

But the state’s top health official later appeared to contradict Whitmer’s conclusions.

“Local health departments last week were able to identify the source of infection for about 32% of the new cases that occurred, meaning we don't know where about 68% of the cases were exposed,” said Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential.

Nursing homes and adult-care facilities led outbreaks where the state was able to identity the source, accounting for 31% of the cases, with social gatherings accounting for 22%, 10% workplaces, 9% restaurants, followed by other locations including bars and gyms, according to Khaldun.