Monthly Archives: August 2020

(August 7, 2020 3:34 PM) Michigan reported 762 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today, with the state reported total now at 86,191. The State of Michigan is reporting no new COVID-19-related deaths today, with the state total remains at 6,247.  This is the second time this month the state has reported zero deaths and only the third time since the first cases were being reported in March.  State Cumulative Total of Recovered COVID-19 Cases (as of 7/31/2020): 60,022.  This information is updated daily at 3 p.m., with COVID-19 results included as of 10 a.m.

(August 7, 2020 2:41 PM)  Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-165 which extends the governor’s emergency and disaster declaration until September 4, 2020 at 11:59pm.  “We are in a crucial time in our fight against COVID-19, and we must do everything we can to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and the brave men and women on the front lines of this crisis from a second wave,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today, I signed new emergency and disaster declarations using independent sources of statutory authority to continue saving lives. I will continue to use every tool at my disposal to protect Michiganders from the spread of this virus. I want to remind everyone in Michigan to wear a mask, practice safe physical distancing, and do everything in your power to fight COVID-19.”  Every region in Michigan has seen an uptick in new cases over the past several weeks, and daily case counts in late July exceeded 50 cases per million statewide. Michigan’s statewide positivity rate has also increased, from a low of 2% in mid-June to 3.5% in late July. The increase in cases reflects a national trend: COVID-19 cases are growing or holding steady in 40 states and deaths from COVID-19 are increasing in most of those states as well…

(August 7, 2020 2:35 PM) Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-166 to reinstate protections for Michigan workers as the state continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor signed this order after the federal government allowed federal pandemic unemployment assistance for Americans who have lost work as a result of this virus to lapse at the end of July, putting pressure on more people to return to work, even if they’re sick. Under the Executive Order, the governor prohibits employers from discharging, disciplining, or retaliating against employees who make the responsible choice to stay home when they or their close contacts are sick.   “Since day one of this fight, I have urged people to do their part to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19, and that includes staying home when you are sick. But after the federal government allowed pandemic unemployment assistance benefits to lapse at the end of July, more working people are feeling pressure to return to work so they can provide for themselves and their families, even if they’re sick,” said Governor Whitmer. “As we have reengaged sectors of our economy, and in turn put thousands of Michiganders back to work, it is still vital that employees feel empowered to make the right choice to say…