Monthly Archives: June 2020

(June 30, 2020 9:36 PM) Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon has signed two epidemic orders that provide for expanded visitations at group facilities while also requiring precautions that protect public health. The orders allow expanded visitation in long-term care facilities including nursing homes, and in facilities for youth who are in child caring institutions or juvenile justice facilities.  Visitors to these types of facilities have been temporarily restricted to slow the spread of COVID-19. The new orders provide exceptions to those restrictions in limited circumstances as long as the facilities meet specific safety requirements -- such as requiring mask during visits.  “It’s been very difficult for residents of these facilities to be unable to see their loved ones during the pandemic,” Gordon said. “We are glad Michigan can now allow visits in some circumstances, but we continue to urge caution and require safety precautions like wearing masks during visits.”  The orders are effective immediately.  One order applies to residential long-term care facilities, which include nursing homes, homes for the aged, adult foster care facilities, hospice facilities, substance abuse disorder residential facilities, independent living facilities and assisted living facilities. The order applies in limited circumstances…

(June 30, 2020 3:26 PM) Michigan reported 373 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today, with the state reported total now at 63,870. The State of Michigan is reporting 32 COVID-19-related death today, bringing the state total to 5,947. State Cumulative Total of Recovered COVID-19 Cases (as of 6/26/2020): 51,099.  This information is updated daily at 3 p.m., with COVID-19 results included as of 10 a.m.

(June 30, 2020 3:13 PM) Governor Whitmer today signed Executive Orders 2020-140 and 2020-141, which extends policies lifting certain requirements of the application process for young Michiganders to obtain a work permit and allowing local governments to use alternative means, other than mass mailings, to send out hearing notifications.  “It is important that young Michiganders — an essential part of our workforce — have an opportunity to find a summer job, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when many workers must stay home when experiencing symptoms or because they are part of a vulnerable population, and for local governments to continue serving their residents while also practicing social distancing to keep their employees safe,” Governor Whitmer said. “By extending these two executive orders, we ensure our economy can slowly and safely reopen, protect the dedicated men and women on the front lines of this pandemic, and ensure that local government can remain open, accessible and transparent.”  Under Executive Order 2020-140, work permits required by the Youth Employment Standards Act can be mailed, emailed, faxed or sent via the web rather than the previously required in-person submission. This order takes effect immediately and continues through July 31, 2020 at 11:59 pm.  Executive Order 2020-141,…

(June 30, 2020 3:04 PM) Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap, a comprehensive document to help districts create local plans for in-person learning in the fall. The Roadmap outlines a number of safety protocols for schools to implement in each phase of the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan. The governor also signed Executive Order 2020-142, which provides a structure to support all schools in Michigan as they plan for a return of PreK-12 education in the fall.  “Our students, parents, and educators have made incredible sacrifices during our battle with COVID-19,” said Governor Whitmer. “Thanks to our aggressive action against this virus, the teachers who have found creative ways to reach their students, and the heroes on the front lines, I am optimistic that we will return to in-person learning in the fall. The MI SafeSchools Return to School Roadmap will help provide schools with the guidance they need as they enact strict safety measures to continue protecting educators, students, and their families. I will continue working closely with the Return to Learn Advisory Council and experts in epidemiology and public health to ensure we get this right, but we also need more…

(June 30, 2020 12:29 PM) The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12 PM today, there are 484 positive cases (cumulative), and 29 deaths (cumulative)*.     There are 8 new cases since yesterday’s report.  No new deaths have been reported since June 7. Cumulative recovered** patients (cumulative): 417 (updated weekly, as of June 26). The Michigan Department of Corrections is reporting as of 4:30 PM Thursday, June 25, there are 1,587 confirmed positive cases are at Jackson facilities, 156 Confirmed Positive Jackson staff. As of 6 AM on Wednesday, June 24, there are 2 individuals with positive COVID-19 results who are inpatients at Henry Ford Allegiance Health.  *These numbers do not reflect any cases or deaths identified through Michigan Department of Corrections.  Their numbers are listed under a separate category "Others" for the Michigan Statistics. **Recovered is defined as the number of persons with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis who are alive 30 days post-onset (or referral date if onset is not available). Gender Number of Cases Percent Male 228 47.1% Female 256 52.9% The Age group is reported as a percentage of the total instead of the actual number.  Age - Years Percent…