Monthly Archives: July 2020

(July 9, 2020 4:11 PM) Governor Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-146 which extends protections for vulnerable populations in Michigan’s county jails, local lockups and juvenile detention centers through Aug. 6, 2020.  “By extending this executive order we protect both people serving time, and our communities from jail-based outbreaks of COVID-19,” Governor Whitmer said. “Jails are part of our communities, making a jail-based outbreak a concern for every Michigander. By reducing the spread of COVID-19 in jails, we protect the men and women serving on the front lines of this ongoing public health crisis, the people serving time in jails, and the entire community.”  Executive Order 2020-146 temporarily suspends transfers into and from Michigan Department of Corrections facilities unless jails adopt certain risk-reduction protocols. Many counties have already resumed transfers, subject to ongoing review. The order also allows local officials more flexibility in releasing vulnerable populations who do not pose a threat to public safety.   Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.   To view Executive Order 2020-146, click the link below:       EO 2020-146 Emerg order - Jails and prisons - re-issue.pdf

(July 9, 2020 4:07 PM) Governor Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-145 which outlines workplace safety guidelines for meatpacking plants to keep employees safe.  “Meatpacking plants — where employees work in very close quarters — has proven to be a hotspot for COVID-19 infections in other states, which is why it’s important for these facilities to space employees out and ensure they have the proper Personal Protective Equipment to keep themselves and their families safe,” Governor Whitmer said. “By implementing these science-backed safety guidelines we can help avoid the sharp upticks in COVID-19 cases states in the south and west are experiencing now.”  “Ensuring the health and safety of the people who work in Michigan’s meat and poultry processing plants is critical to preserving the integrity of the state’s food supply chain,” said Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Gary McDowell. “I want to thank Governor Whitmer for her commitment to protecting the viability Michigan’s food and agriculture industry and protecting our front line workers during these uncertain times.”  Under Executive Order 2020-145, meat and poultry processing plants must:  Conduct a daily entry screening protocol for employees, contractors, suppliers, and any other individuals entering the facility.  Configure communal work environments so employees are spaced at least…

(July 9, 2020 3:46 PM) Michigan reported 446 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today, with the state reported total now at 67,683. The State of Michigan is reporting 9 COVID-19-related deaths today, with the state total now at 6,024. State Cumulative Total of Recovered COVID-19 Cases (as of 7/3/2020): 52,841.  This information is updated daily at 3 p.m., with COVID-19 results included as of 10 a.m.

(July 9, 2020 12:12 PM) The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12 PM today, there are 512 positive cases (cumulative), and 31 deaths (cumulative)*.     There are 3 new cases since yesterday’s report.  The Michigan Department of Corrections is reporting as of 4 PM Monday, July 6, there are 1,608 confirmed positive cases at Jackson facilities and 157 confirmed positive staff cases. As of 7 AM July 8, there are 2 persons at Henry Ford Allegiance Health being treated inpatient for COVID-19. Cumulative recovered** patients (cumulative): 431 (updated weekly, as of July 3). *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 239 46.7% Female 273 53.3% The Age group is reported as a percentage of the total instead of the actual number.  Age - Years Percent 0 -19 5.5% 20 - 29 15.6% 30 - 39 15.4% 40 -…

John Willis, Roy Ryan, Marshawn Norris and Colleen Sullivan work on distributing supplies at the Boos Recreation Center.  Photo courtesy City of Jackson. (July 9, 2020 11:49 AM)  The City of Jackson and the United Way of Jackson County are collaborating to meet community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.  This time of the year, the Boos Community Center is often packed with residents enjoying recreation activities.  But in summer 2020, the community center is functioning as the distribution center for Jackson’s response  to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stacks of boxes ready to go out to residents in need fill the center’s gymnasium, packed with food, cleaning supplies and personal care products. “It’s phenomenal. I’ve seen people stepping up in so many amazing ways,” said Colleen Sullivan, AFLCIO Community Services Liaison for the United Way of Jackson County. When the crisis began in March, the Jackson Community Foundation and the United Way of Jackson County created the COVID-19 Response Fund. The fund has raised $343,349 over the past four months thanks to donations from businesses, organizations and families. Those funds are used to purchase supplies that are distributed from the Boos Center to local non-profits for relief efforts, along with supporting area…

(July 9, 2020 11:33 AM) Governor Whitmer today signed Executive Directive 2020-7 which directs the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to begin developing rules that will require implicit bias training as part of the knowledge and skills necessary for licensure, registration and renewal of licenses and registrations of health professionals in Michigan. Implicit bias training was one of the recommendations made by the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities, which Governor Whitmer created in response to the devastating and disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on communities of color.  "There's no doubt that our front line health care workers like doctors and nurses have been the real heroes of this crisis, putting their lives on the line for us every day," said Governor Whitmer. "COVID-19 has had a disparate impact on people of color due to a variety of factors, and we must do everything we can to address this disparity. The evidence shows that training in implicit bias can make a positive difference, so today we are taking action to help improve racial equity across Michigan's health care system. That’s why my staff has begun this kind of training and every member of my team, including…