Monthly Archives: December 2020

A staff member at the SKLD nursing facility in Grand Rapids receives a COVID-19 vaccine from Tonino Michienzi of Walgreens. (Photo courtesy MDHHS) (December 28, 2020 8:48 PM) Skilled nursing home residents and staff began receiving the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine made by Moderna today through the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-term Care Program. The pharmacy partnership is a national initiative to provide COVID-19 vaccine to the Phase 1A priority groups of long-term care facility residents and staff. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is partnering with CVS and Walgreens through the program to manage and facilitate safe vaccination of this patient population, while reducing burden on long-term care facilities and local health departments. Several Jackson area nursing homes began scheduling vaccinations among residents and staff starting as early as Wednesday. “This is a great day for older Michiganders, their families and the dedicated men and women who care for them. We know this virus is a killer that preys on our most vulnerable populations, which is why my administration has prioritized testing in our nursing homes from the beginning. Now, we have developed a plan that will help us distribute a safe and effective vaccine to our…

(December 28, 2020 4:03 PM) The COVID-19 emergency relief package has been signed into law that continues and expands federal unemployment insurance (UI) programs. Due to the timing of the legislation’s finalization, there will be a delay in certification and payment of benefits for those currently enrolled in the federal PUA and PEUC programs beginning Dec. 26. This will only be a disruption and claimants will be made whole once the extensions are fully implemented. Existing PUA and PEUC claimants should ensure they complete any outstanding certifications through Dec. 26. To do this, log in to you MiWAM account and click on the inactive PUA or PEUC claim. Outstanding certifications will appear under the “Alerts” tab should there be any to be completed. Michigan, like all states, must wait until guidance is issued by the U.S. Dept. of Labor before it can begin processing the benefits provided under the new legislation. This guidance will include new rules and instructions that will require updates to the state’s UI system, but rest assured that Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) is making program adjustments with what information is available and will work tirelessly to implement any remaining changes as soon as it can…

(December 28, 2020 3:32 PM) Michigan reported 3,239* coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today, with the state reported total now at 480,508. Michigan is reporting 60 COVID-19-related deaths today, with the state total at 12,089.  *Note on cases (12/28/20): Today’s daily case count represents new referrals of confirmed cases to the MDSS since Saturday, December 26th. Over the two days, Sunday and Monday, the average number of new confirmed cases is ~1,619 per day. State Cumulative Total of Recovered COVID-19 Cases (as of 12/23/2020): 318,389. 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. 

(December 28, 2020 2:02 PM) The Jackson County Health Department has received its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.  Staff of agencies and departments in the first priority group will receive these initial doses.  Vaccination of the various groups in the first phase will be a joint effort involving the hospital, health department, and local pharmacies.  The next shipments of Moderna vaccine will used for nursing homes and congregate care settings.  In a few weeks, health departments will receive additional doses in order to continue vaccinating the 1A groups in our county.  To best allocate the initial shipments of vaccine, distribution in Michigan will be in phases and Jackson County will follow the guidance provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/MI_COVID-19_Vaccination_Prioritization_Guidance_710349_7.pdf The prioritization guidance has an emphasis on ensuring continued functioning of the health care system and essential services in the community, and protecting people at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness. Clinics will not be available for the general public until vaccine has been provided to those in phase 1A, 1B, and 1C. “We understand the desire of all residents to receive the vaccine as soon as possible.” said Rashmi Travis, Jackson County Health…

Updated with Henry Ford Allegiance Health report (UPDATED December 28, 2020 8:38 PM) The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12 PM today, there are 7,364 positive cases (cumulative), and 150 deaths (cumulative)*.     There are 33 new cases and 6 new deaths since Saturday’s report. Cumulative recovered, as of December 28, 2020:  4,855** The cumulative numbers posted on Mondays include the data from Sunday and Monday.  Recovered numbers are being posted as received. The Michigan Department of Corrections is reporting as of 3:00 PM December 23, there are 4,033 confirmed positive cases at Jackson facilities and 483 confirmed positive staff cases.  MDOC positive case numbers are cumulative. As of 4 PM December 28, there 43 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 PM. *These numbers do…

(December 27, 2020  2:45 PM) The Michigan Department of Corrections is reporting as of 3:00 PM December 23, there are 20,954 confirmed positive COVID-19 cumulative cases at facilities throughout the state, an increase of 1,021 in the past week.  Of that statewide total, 4,033 of the confirmed positive cases are at Jackson facilities.    Throughout the state corrections system, there are currently 5,966 active cases. In Jackson, there are 1,492 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases at Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center,  at 1,206 Cooper Street Correctional Facility, 25 at Duane Waters Health Center, 796 at G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility, and 514 at Parnall Correctional Facility.  Among staff, there are a total of 2,804 COVID-19 positive cases statewide.  In Jackson, there are 153 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases among employees at Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center, 143 at Cooper Street Correctional Facility, 84 at G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility, 4 at Jackson Regional Warehouse, 3 at Jackson Regional Office, 2 at Jackson Training Center and 94 at Parnall Correctional Facility.  There have been a total of 108 deaths (statewide) of prisoners who had tested positive for COVID-19, 26 of those deaths were among prisoners at Jackson facilities.  Testing continues…