Health

(April 9, 2020 4:14 PM)  City of Jackson Mayor Derek Dobies and City administration are reacting to the extension of the Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order. In a statement, city leaders said they are closely following directives from the order and urge residents to follow it as well.  Gov. Whitmer announced the order will continue until Thursday, April 30. The text of the statement released today: “Over the next three weeks, the City will be continuing to follow directives made in the Executive Order and urges residents to do the same. “Staying home and avoiding contact with those outside your house is an important way to stop the spread of this illness. It’s important to note that residents are still able to leave homes for food, medical needs, care for family, essential work and exercise. The City advises residents and businesses to reference the order to understand how this relates to their families and businesses. “Jackson leaders have also issued local orders to help keep the community safe. On March 17, Mayor Derek Dobies became the first mayor in Jackson’s history to declare a Local State of Emergency. This declaration allows City leaders to activate emergency operation plans,…

(April 9, 2020 3:47 PM) Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, today issued the following statement urging Governor Whitmer to revise her stay-at-home order which was extended this afternoon:  “Michiganders have spent the past three weeks living under an order that severely restricts their ability to work outside their homes, earn a living, and participate in society.  Their lives have been dramatically altered as a result of the presence of COVID-19 in our state. “Governor Whitmer put the ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ Order in place to protect the health and safety of all citizens and to support healthcare workers on the front lines battling the effects of COVID-19 on our population.  Since that time, case numbers have increased in certain areas of the state, while other regions have seen little to no growth in the number of residents impacted by the virus. “In times of crisis, swift bold action is often necessary to address immediate needs.  Once that action is taken, the next logical step is a comprehensive evaluation of circumstances followed by commonsense revisions.  Now is the time for Governor Whitmer to make those commonsense revisions to her Order.  “The Senate Republicans believe a strategic application of “Stay Home,…

(April 9, 2020 3:37 PM) Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer created the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities. The task force, chaired by Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, will consist of leaders across state government and health care professionals from communities most impacted by the spread of coronavirus. The task force will hold the first meeting this week.  As of today, over 40% of COVID-19 deaths in Michigan are African Americans, but only 14% of Michiganders are African Americans. The Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities will provide the governor with recommendations on how to address this disparity as we work to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our state.  “This virus is holding a mirror up to our society and reminding us of the deep inequities in this country,” said Governor Whitmer. “From basic lack of access to health care, transportation, and protections in the workplace, these inequities hit people of color and vulnerable communities the hardest. This task force will help us start addressing these disparities right now as we work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan.”  “We know that generations of racial disparities and inequality has a detrimental impact on the lives of people…

(April 9, 2020 3:27 PM)  Michigan reported 1,158 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today,  with the state reported total now at 21,504. The State of Michigan is reporting 117 COVID-19-related deaths today, bringing the state total to 1076.    The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12 PM today, there are 131 positive cases (cumulative), and 4 deaths (cumulative). As of 11 AM today,  Henry Ford Allegiance Health reports treating 45 inpatients in their hospital who tested positive for COVID-19. Test results are pending on another seven patients who are being treated as “persons under investigation,” and are being cared for on isolated units in the hospital to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 to other patients.  This information is updated daily at 3 p.m., with COVID-19 results included as of 10 a.m.. Overall Confirmed COVID-19 Cases by County updated 4/8/2020 County Cases Reported Deaths Allegan 18   Antrim 6   Arenac 4   Barry 7   Bay 39   Berrien 72 2 Branch 18 1 Calhoun 51 1 Cass 9 1 Charlevoix 8   Cheboygan 10 1 Chippewa 1   Clare 2   Clinton 82 1 Crawford 5 1 Delta 8  …

(April 9, 2020 3:10 PM) The Michigan State Senate and House voted on Tuesday to approve an extension of Governor Whitmer’s state of emergency declaration for another 23 days, leaving the ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ order in effect through April 30. Governor Whitmer made the  formal announcement today at 3 p.m.  “We fully support the Governor’s decision to extend the emergency declaration,” said Paula Autry, President and CEO of Henry Ford Allegiance Health. “There is no question the Governor’s order and response by Michiganders has slowed the spread of COVID-19, allowing hospitals like ours the ability to maintain much-needed capacity to care for sick patients.” “It can be incredibly hard to stay home and apart from loved ones and routine activities,” added Autry. “But the simple act of staying home is saving lives and allowing our front-line health care workers the ability to provide the most comprehensive care possible for all our patients, including those with COVID-19. Now is the time to dig deep, stay home and not let up.”  As of 11 a.m. Henry Ford Allegiance Health reports treating 45 inpatients in their hospital who tested positive for COVID-19. Test results are pending on another seven patients who are…

(April 9, 2020 3:03 PM) Today, Governor Whitmer signed executive order 2020-42, extending her prior “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order through the end of April. As with the prior order, Executive Order 2020-42 limits gatherings and travel and requires all workers who are not necessary to sustain or protect life to stay home. Executive Order 2020-42 also imposes more stringent limitations on stores to reduce foot traffic, slow the spread of the coronavirus, and save lives.  “Michigan has the third highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country, and we’re still on the upswing. We must continue to do everything we can to slow the spread and protect our families,” said Governor Whitmer. “Data shows that most Michiganders are doing their part by staying home and staying safe. That’s good, but we must keep it up. When we do, we can save lives and shorten the amount of time we’re working through this crisis, which will be good for our families and good for our economy in the long-run. We can also protect critical infrastructure workers like doctors, nurses, grocery store employees, and child care workers. Now more than ever, it’s crucial that people stay home and stay safe.”  “It’s…

(April 9, 2020 10:38 AM) Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced a partnership of health care providers providing critical support, staffing and resources at the TCF Regional Care Center, scheduled to accept its first 25 patients this Friday, April 10. The partnership includes Henry Ford Health System, McLaren Health Care, Beaumont Health and the Detroit Medical Center. “Fighting this virus is going to take all of us working together as Michiganders, and we are proud to be partnering with these Michigan health care systems to help save lives and ensure those with the most serious cases of COVID-19 get the care they need,” Whitmer said. “Our hospitals and medical professionals are serving on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19, and they are proving that once again by stepping up to support the TCF Regional Care Center.” Key personnel at TCF Regional Care Center were also announced today. Lynn Torossian will lead overall management of TCF Regional Care Center. Torossian most recently served as President and CEO of CEO of Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. Daniel Medrano will lead day-to-day operations at the TCF Regional Care Center. Medrano is currently serving as Corporate Vice President of Facilities Management of McLaren Health…