Health

(December 21, 2021 11:33 AM) Today, the State of Michigan announced a statewide goal to have 1 million more Michiganders, including 95% of eligible nursing home residents, receive the safe, effective COVID-19 booster by Jan. 31, 2022. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Elizabeth Hertel also outlined actions Michiganders can take to keep themselves and their families safe this holiday season. “As Omicron becomes the dominant COVID-19 variant in the United States, we all have to step up this holiday season to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe,” said Governor Whitmer. “Our hospitals and health care workers have been working tirelessly to save lives, and we are in for a tough four to six weeks. We must all take action to protect ourselves and help our healthcare workers and hospitals do their jobs. I encourage every Michigander who is eligible to get their booster shot. Together, we can help 1 million more Michiganders, including 95% of all eligible nursing home residents get their boosters by the end of January 2022. We know from preliminary data that the booster offers more robust protection against Omicron. A 15-minute appointment to get your booster can help…

(December 20, 2021 3:42 PM) Michigan reported 13,999* coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today, with the state reported total now at 1,434,837. Michigan is reporting 160** COVID-19-related deaths today with the state total at 25,984.   *Note on cases (12/20/2021): Today's daily case count represents new referrals of confirmed cases to the MDSS since the last web update report.  Over the three days (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday), the average number of new confirmed cases is ~4,666 per day. **The deaths announced today includes 63 deaths identified during a Vital Records review. See cumulative data page for more information. State Cumulative Total of Recovered COVID-19 Cases (as of 12/10/21): 1,146,495. Information is updated Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 3 p.m., with COVID-19 results included as of 10 a.m.   

(December 20, 2021 12:22 PM) The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) will be closed Dec 23, 24, 30 and 31 to observe the Christmas and New Year’s holidays and encourages those certifying for benefits to do so early in the week. Although unemployed workers can still certify for benefits online using the Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM), certification by phone will not be available when state offices are closed for the holidays. Claimants scheduled to certify by phone this week should do so by Wednesday, Dec. 22. Claimants scheduled to certify the week of the 27th should certify by Wednesday, Dec. 29. Because of the  holidays, there may be a one- or two-day delay before benefits are deposited into the bank accounts or loaded onto the debit cards of unemployed workers. Delays may also be experienced by unemployed workers who request a new or replacement debit card. Some of the delay may be due to holiday postal volumes; however, the debit card vendor is also experiencing a delay of up to three days in card production. The vendor is working to resolve the production issues; in the meantime claimants can select direct deposit as a benefits payment method. Unemployed workers claiming…

(December 20, 2021 12:00 PM)  The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12:00 PM today, there are 28,051 positive cases (cumulative), and 413 deaths (cumulative)*.   There are 169 new cases and 4 new deaths since Friday’s report. As of December 13, there are 85 persons at Henry Ford Allegiance Health being treated as inpatients for COVID-19.  The Jackson County Health Department has announced a change in reporting effective Oct. 6, 2021.  Cases defined as probable will be reported in cumulative case and death counts.  As additional methods of testing besides the PCR test have become more common, the amount of cases classified as probable has increased and are included to provide a more accurate picture of disease in our community.  Cumulative recovered, as of December 20:  24,337** The cumulative numbers posted on Mondays include the data from Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  Recovered numbers are being posted as received.  *These numbers do not reflect any cases or deaths identified through Michigan Department of Corrections.  Their numbers are listed under a separate category and reported by the state at Michigan Statistics. Cases reported involving Jackson County school students or staff are included in our…

(December 17, 2021 3:00 PM) Michigan reported 12,649* coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today, with the state reported total now at 1,420,838. Michigan is reporting 254** COVID-19-related deaths today with the state total at 25,824.   *Note on cases (12/17/2021): Today's daily case count represents new referrals of confirmed cases to the MDSS since the last web update report. Over the two days (Thursday and Friday), the average number of new confirmed cases is ~6325 per day. **The deaths announced today includes 159 deaths identified during a Vital Records review. See cumulative data page for more information. State Cumulative Total of Recovered COVID-19 Cases (as of 12/10/21): 1,146,495. Information is updated Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 3 p.m., with COVID-19 results included as of 10 a.m.   

(December 17, 2021 12:00 PM)  The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12:00 PM today, there are 27,882 positive cases (cumulative), and 409 deaths (cumulative)*.   There are 59 new cases and 3 new deaths since yesterday’s report. As of December 13, there are 85 persons at Henry Ford Allegiance Health being treated as inpatients for COVID-19.  The Jackson County Health Department has announced a change in reporting effective Oct. 6, 2021.  Cases defined as probable will be reported in cumulative case and death counts.  As additional methods of testing besides the PCR test have become more common, the amount of cases classified as probable has increased and are included to provide a more accurate picture of disease in our community.  Cumulative recovered, as of December 17:  23,764** The cumulative numbers posted on Mondays include the data from Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  Recovered numbers are being posted as received.  *These numbers do not reflect any cases or deaths identified through Michigan Department of Corrections.  Their numbers are listed under a separate category and reported by the state at Michigan Statistics. Cases reported involving Jackson County school students or staff are included in our…

 (December 16, 2021 5:01 PM) All Michigan families who are eligible for food assistance benefits are receiving an additional monthly payment in December in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced today. Approximately 1.27 million Michiganders in close to 700,000 households will receive additional food assistance benefits. “My administration’s top priority is putting Michiganders first by delivering on the kitchen-table fundamental issues that matter most to families," said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. "As we enter the holiday season and face rising costs, we have to ensure that everyone has enough money to put food on the table and pay the bills. By delivering additional financial relief to lower grocery bills for families, we can keep more money in people’s pockets and help them enjoy time with loved ones over the holidays."  Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card from Dec. 18-27. These benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance that is provided earlier in the month. Some Michiganders began receiving additional food assistance in April 2020 after the beginning of the pandemic that started the month before. In May 2021, all eligible households began…

(December 16, 2021 12:00 PM)  The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12:00 PM today, there are 27,823 positive cases (cumulative), and 406 deaths (cumulative)*.   There are 94 new cases since yesterday’s report. As of December 13, there are 85 persons at Henry Ford Allegiance Health being treated as inpatients for COVID-19.  The Jackson County Health Department has announced a change in reporting effective Oct. 6, 2021.  Cases defined as probable will be reported in cumulative case and death counts.  As additional methods of testing besides the PCR test have become more common, the amount of cases classified as probable has increased and are included to provide a more accurate picture of disease in our community.  Cumulative recovered, as of December 16:  23,537** The cumulative numbers posted on Mondays include the data from Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  Recovered numbers are being posted as received.  *These numbers do not reflect any cases or deaths identified through Michigan Department of Corrections.  Their numbers are listed under a separate category and reported by the state at Michigan Statistics. Cases reported involving Jackson County school students or staff are included in our posted numbers.  For details…

(December 16, 2021 10:42 AM) The Jackson YMCA announced today they are nearing the end of the capital campaign with nearly $23 million raised toward the $25 million goal. The Y is seeking support to wrap up the campaign for a planned new YMCA in downtown Jackson. Y volunteers are working to secure contributions and move forward on work for the new healthy living campus. “The outpouring of support from individuals, families, businesses, organizations and foundations for this once-in-a-generation investment opportunity is truly inspiring” said Jackson YMCA CEO Shawna Tello. “The dollar amount raised is the largest-ever for a YMCA in Michigan and stands as a testament to our donor’s generosity and commitment to our community. Every dollar raised matters, and every dollar is an investment in the future of Jackson.” The Jackson YMCA also announced a revised construction and re-use plan, combining new building construction with renovation and reconfiguration of the existing facility.  Previously announced plans called for the demolition of the current facility following a “from the ground up” build of a new building.  The revision of the plan is a result of several factors, primarily skyrocketing costs due to the pandemic. The YMCA’s campaign leaders and volunteers…

(December 15, 2021 5:07 PM) Leaders of Henry Ford Health System termed the current state of COVID a crisis as the health system is now treating 500 COVID patients, a 34 percent increase in just the past month.  As Henry Ford approaches the one-year anniversary of administering its first COVID-19 vaccinations, senior leaders offered a grim assessment today of how surging hospitalizations have their hospitals on the brink. Statewide, hospitalizations are up 10 percent and deaths are up 79 percent in the past two weeks.  Today, Michigan’s fourth COVID-19 surge hit a new milestone:  the average number of people dying of the disease each day over a seven-day period hit 100 for the first time in a year.  This is the highest daily death toll the state has seen since the second wave during December 2020. Bob Riney,  Henry Ford’s President of Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer, and Adnan Munkarah, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, described the situation as dire, a crisis caused by people sick with COVID who are unvaccinated. “The unfortunate reality right now is that no matter which hospital you’re talking to, no matter which health system you’re talking to, the word that you’re…