Monthly Archives: November 2020

(November 15, 2020 6:11 PM) The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a new emergency order today that enacts a three-week pause targeting indoor social gatherings and other group activities in an effort to curb rapidly rising COVID-19 infection rates. Under this order, indoor residential gatherings are limited to two households at any one time. However, MDHHS strongly urges families to pick a single other household to interact with over the next three weeks, consistent with new guidance released by the department. The order is aimed at limiting residential and non-residential gatherings where COVID-19 spreads rapidly. Bars and restaurants will be open for outdoor dining, carry-out and delivery only. Gyms will remain open for individual exercise with strict safety measures in place. Casinos, movie theaters and group exercise classes will be closed. Professional and college sports meeting extraordinary standards for risk mitigation may continue without spectators, however all other organized sports must stop. Colleges and high schools may proceed with remote learning, but must end in-person classes. “In the spring, we listened to public health experts, stomped the curve, and saved thousands of lives together. Now, we must channel that same energy and join forces again to…

(November 15, 2020  4:45 PM) The Michigan Department of Corrections is reporting as of 3:45 PM November 13, there are 9,411 confirmed positive COVID-19 cumulative cases at facilities throughout the state.  Of that statewide total, 1,746 of the confirmed positive cases are at Jackson facilities. Throughout the state corrections system, there are currently 2,579 active cases. In Jackson, there are 505 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases at Parnall Correctional Facility, 415 at Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center, 25 at Cooper Street Correctional Facility, 21 at Duane Waters Health Center and 780 at G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility.  Among staff, there are a total of 1,347 COVID-19 positive cases statewide.   In Jackson, there are 83 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases among employees at Parnall Correctional Facility, 14 at Cooper Street Correctional Facility, 70 at Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center, 56 at G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility, 2 at Jackson Training Center and 4 at Jackson Regional Warehouse. There have been a total of 75 deaths (statewide) of prisoners who had tested positive for COVID-19, 22 of those deaths were among prisoners at Jackson facilities.  The Michigan Department of Corrections is listed as a separate jurisdiction in the daily MDHHS report of positive…

(November 15, 2020 3:07 PM) Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, and MDHHS Director Robert Gordon will provide an update regarding the state’s response to COVID-19 and make an announcement regarding the continued efforts to slow the spread of the virus. No details have been announced on whether Governor Whitmer would issue new restrictions regarding the spread of COVID-19.  On Friday, Gongwer News Service reported Whitmer Press Secretary Tiffany Brown said she does not anticipate any action by the governor nor the Department of Health and Human Services in the next 24 to 72 hours, but that: "This is something we are watching closely and taking seriously." According to Gongwer, there has been much speculation that a public health order from the Department of Health and Human Services was imminent given the exponential growth in cases and COVID-19 hospitalizations as well as a sudden rise in deaths. Today will be the Governor’s first briefing on a weekend.  The unusual Sunday evening briefing suggests some type of action and not just an update on where the state stands. The briefing will be carried on JTV and JTV.TV at 6…

(November 15, 2020 1:30 PM) Northwest Community Schools announced this afternoon Northwest Preschool and Childcare will be closed effective Monday and continuing until November 30th. On Friday, the District reported 11 positive cases currently and 135 staff and students quarantined due contact tracing.  At that time,  Northwest Community Schools announced the transition to remote learning for ALL BUILDINGS until November 30, 2020. In today’s media release, the district reports: “We have been notified of three positive COVID-19 cases involving staff members at NWEE, NWEL and NW Preschool and Childcare. The Jackson County Health Department (JCHD) and district protocols are being followed to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff. We are currently in the process of conducting contact tracing on these cases. Those who are identified as close contacts will be contacted by NW Administration with further instructions. “As a result of these cases, NWPCC will be closed effective Monday, November 16, 2020, reopening Monday, November 30, 2020. “All school districts in Michigan are required to notify staff, students, parents/guardians and the community of any "school associated" positive cases. "School associated" includes virtual, F2F students and all staff members. “Please continue to assess your student’s health. If…

(November 14, 2020 3:29 PM) Michigan reported 7,072 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today, with the state reported total now at 251,813. The State of Michigan is reporting 65* COVID-19-related deaths today, with the state total at 7,994. *The deaths announced today includes 36 deaths identified during a Vital Records review. See cumulative data page for more information. State Cumulative Total of Recovered COVID-19 Cases (as of 11/13/2020): 138,862.  This information is updated Monday through Saturday at 3 p.m., with COVID-19 results included as of 10 a.m.  Monday reports include Sunday data.

(November 14, 2020 12:00 PM) The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12 PM today, there are 3,171 positive cases (cumulative), and 81 deaths (cumulative)*.     There are 150 new cases since yesterday's report.   This is the largest single-day increase since the pandemic began, breaking yesterday’s record (145). Cumulative recovered, as of November 14, 2020:  1457** The Michigan Department of Corrections is reporting as of 10:30 PM November 6, there are 1,716 confirmed positive cases at Jackson facilities and 206 confirmed positive staff cases.  MDOC positive case numbers are cumulative. As of 11 AM November 12, there 42 persons at Henry Ford Allegiance Health being treated as inpatients for COVID-19. Note:  Jackson County will post COVID-19 data daily by mid-afternoon, Monday-Saturday, keeping with the schedule established by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The cumulative numbers posted on Monday will include the data from Sunday and Monday.  Recovered numbers are being posted as received.  Epicurve data and Township maps are also posted on Mondays by 3:30 p.m. *These numbers do not reflect any cases or deaths identified through Michigan Department of Corrections.  Their numbers are listed under a…