Monthly Archives: March 2020

(March 24, 2020 5:20 PM) The City of Jackson is informing residents the City continues to respond to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impacts on the community. Following Gov. Whitmer’s Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order on Monday, March 23, City leaders have been making decisions about what this means for local government and the Jackson community.  The City issued details about its response in a news release: “Over the next three weeks, the City of Jackson will be following directives made in the Executive Order and strongly encourages its residents to do the same. Staying home and avoiding contact with those outside your home is an important way to stop the spread of this illness. It’s important to note that residents are still allowed to leave homes for food, medical needs, to care for family, essential work and exercise. The City advises residents and businesses to reference the order to understand how this relates to their families and businesses. “To help combat COVID-19, Jackson City Hall is closed to employees and residents until Monday, April 13. Dozens of dedicated employees continue to work from behind the scenes at home to continue important services for residents. Critical operations of the City…

Updated to include additional information on the 6 confirmed cases. (UPDATED March 24, 2020 4:45 PM) Henry Ford Allegiance Health reported today there are 6 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Jackson County as of 1 PM today. Dr. Mark Smith, Chief Medical Officer of HFAH said, “Of the 6 positive cases, two are inpatient at HFAH, one in fair condition and one in critical condition.  3 cases are at home in good condition and self-isolating and the other remaining case has fully recovered.” HFAH reports there are 14 “persons of interest”, cases they are monitoring.  Dr. Smith says that means HFAH is watching their symptoms and waiting for test results to come back.  Those patients are in the hospital in private rooms with isolation and personal protective equipment is being used by staff and physicians taking care of the patients. Dr. Pamela Hackert, Medical Director of the Jackson County Health Department and an Occupational and Preventive Medicine Physician at HFAH reported at the press briefing that there are 1,809 positive COVID-19 cases in the State of Michigan. Dr. Hackert provided additional detail on the 5 new cases reported since yesterday: “The first case is a man, he did not travel,…

(March 24, 2020 3:49 PM)  Michigan reported 463 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today,  with the state reported total now at 1,791. The State of Michigan is reporting 9 COVID-19-related deaths today, bringing the state total to 24. Henry Ford Allegiance Health reported this afternoon there are 6 confirmed positive cases in Jackson County.  The state updates its totals at 2 PM each day.  The numbers often do not reflect an individual county’s case count because the counties may report confirmed cases a day earlier than the state. The state is now reporting positive tests as of 10 a.m. on the same day. Daily Confirmed COVID-19 Cases by County County Cases Deaths Bay 1   Berrien 3   Calhoun 1   Charlevoix 1   Clinton 3   Detroit City 152 2 Eaton 1   Emmet 1   Genesee 11   Gladwin 1   Grand Traverse 2   Hillsdale 1   Ingham 3   Isabella 2   Jackson 5   Kalkaska 1   Kent 3   Lapeer 1   Livingston 4   Macomb 50 1 Manistee 1   Monroe 5   Muskegon 2   Newaygo 1   Oakland 99   Otsego 2   Ottawa 4   Saginaw 6   St. Clair…

(March 24, 2020 3:24 PM) To maximize Coronavirus COVID-19) sampling and testing capacity and ensure timely reporting of critical resources and needs, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon today issued an emergency order establishing procedures to be followed during the pandemic to ensure continuation of essential public health services and enforcement of health laws. This order is effective immediately. “To save lives, we need to do two things: dedicate our limited lab capacity to the highest priority tests and obtain consistent, timely reports on hospital beds and PPE,” said Gordon. “This order aims to accomplish those goals.” “This is another step the state is taking toward saving lives during this pandemic,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “The ultimate goal is to slow the spread of the virus so our health care system doesn't get overwhelmed and we prevent as much illness as possible.” Pursuant to MCL 333.2253, Gordon ordered that: Facilities in the state of Michigan processing tests for COVID-19 must prioritize sampling and testing for COVID-19 as instructed by MDHHS. This currently includes specimens associated with active investigations of known contacts, individuals with concerning exposure histories and…