Monthly Archives: January 2021

(January 12, 2021 12:00 PM) The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12 PM today, there are 8,129 positive cases (cumulative), and 183 deaths (cumulative)*.     There are 36 new cases and 1 new death since yesterday’s report.  Cumulative recovered, as of January 12, 2020:  6,381** 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 6:50 PM January 8, there are 4,283 confirmed positive cases at Jackson facilities and 531 confirmed positive staff cases.  MDOC positive case numbers are cumulative. As of 7 AM January 6, 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 not reflect any cases or deaths identified through Michigan…

(January 12, 2021 11:35 AM) Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that they will grant Governor Gretchen Whitmer and eight other governors’ request and release the millions of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine currently being held back by the federal government. HHS also announced that they will follow Michigan’s lead, recommending that states open up vaccinations to Americans age 65 and up, a move that Governor Whitmer announced last week.  “Michigan and states across the country remain ready to get more shots in arms, which is why the Trump Administration’s decision to grant our request and release millions of doses of the vaccine is so crucial,” said Governor Whitmer. “It will take all of us – the federal government, state and local leaders, health departments, and everyday Americans - to ensure everyone can get the safe and effective vaccine. There is still more work to do, which is why yesterday, I sent a letter to the Trump Administration requesting permission to directly purchase up to 100,000 doses of the vaccine for the state of Michigan. I am eager to hear back from the federal government regarding my request, and will continue to work with them and leaders everywhere to end this pandemic and save lives.”  Last week, Governors Gretchen Whitmer, Gavin Newsom…

(January 12, 2021 11:19 AM) The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (MRLAEF) today announced it will administer the application process for the Employee Assistance Grants under Senate Public Act 257 of 2020 (PA 257). Employees impacted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Gathering and Face Mask Order that took effect on November 18, 2020 are eligible to apply for one-time grants up to $1,650 during the application period of January 15 through January 25. The State of Michigan Department of Treasury will process Employee Assistance Grants to approved recipients from the $45 million fund authorized under PA 257 for employees in the hospitality, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services sectors. “Michigan’s restaurant and hotel employees are suffering right now, and they need help,” said Justin Winslow, President & CEO of the MRLA. “We are honored to be selected to administer these much-needed grants and take very seriously our responsibility to process them efficiently and effectively.” Recent Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data illustrate that Michigan’s hospitality industry is operating with 33 percent fewer employees than it was at the same time a year earlier, which is a loss nearly twice that of the nation…

(January 12, 2021 11:10 AM) The Salvation Army of Jackson County is reporting that it is only 5% away from its 2020  Red Kettle campaign gold of $310,000.  Traditionally, the Red Kettle Campaign accepts contributions through January and reports final totals on January 31. The Salvation Army in Jackson County is experiencing a dramatic increase in demand for its programs and services.  The Salvation Army projects a 150%  increase in demand for assistance as the pandemic continues through 2021. “We are grateful and humbled by the wonderful generosity of the greater Jackson community in the response to the need of their neighbors in support of the Red Kettle Campaign. This support is vital in allowing us to provide help and hope all year long,” said Major Jose Tamayo, Corps Officer. The Salvation Army of Jackson County is still accepting gifts for the 2020 Red Kettle campaign. To contact the Salvation Army of Jackson County about a gift call Brad Patterson at 517-782-7185 ext#111 or email  Brad.Patterson@usc.salvationarmy.org.  

(January 11, 2021 5:04 PM) The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has started issuing $300 weekly Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC) payments to an estimated 365,000 claimants on regular state unemployment insurance (UI) and Extended Benefit programs this weekend. The PUC supplement, which is payable from Dec. 27, 2020 through March 13, 2021, provides an additional $300 per week to all eligible unemployment recipients who receive at least $1 for the week. Claimants do not need to take any action to receive this additional weekly benefit, it will be paid automatically after they certify. The additional payment comes from an extension of the federal COVID-19 relief package passed in December. Workers who were on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) continue to have no actions to take at this time They will not be able to complete certifications and payments will not be issued for weeks after Dec. 26 until the technical updates to the UI system are completed per the recently received U.S. Dept. of Labor (USDOL). UIA staff have been working nights and weekends to complete the updates as soon as possible. This will only be a disruption and claimants will be made whole once…