Health

(April 6, 2020 7:48 PM) The State of Michigan has selected the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi as the site of a second alternate care facility to expand medical capacity during the state’s response to COVID-19. This decision comes days after Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the state’s first alternate care facility at TCF Center in Detroit. After conversion, the Suburban Collection Showplace will provide 250,000 sq. ft. and bed space to accommodate up to 1,000 COVID-19 cases. “This is more good news for Michiganders in our fight against COVID-19,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Having access to more medical facilities and more space for health care professionals to perform their life saving work means we are more able to slow the spread of COVID-19. Fighting this virus is going to take all of us working together as Michiganders, and I want to thank everyone who has stepped up to volunteer at a health care facility or donate blood, money, or medical supplies. We will get through this.”   “We are uniquely positioned to be able to support this effort and the fight against COVID-19. We feel it is important to serve as a resource to the state and the community in these…

(UPDATED April 6, 2020 11:44 PM) The Michigan Department of Corrections is reporting as of 10:30 PM tonight, there are 238 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases at nine facilities throughout the state.  Of that statewide total, 112 of the confirmed positive cases are at Jackson facilities. In Jackson, there are 102 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases at Parnall Correctional Facility and 10 at Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center. There are 29 MDOC facilities in Michigan, 20 facilities have no positive COVID-19 cases.  A total of 418 prisoners have been tested statewide as of last night.  123 of those tested were negative and results are pending on 57 cases. MDOC released information about the health of its staff.  There are a total of 109 COVID-19 positive cases among staff at 11 facilities.   In Jackson, there are 42 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases among employees at Parnall Correctional Facility, 1 at Cooper Street Correctional Facility and 1 at Jackson Central Warehouse. Saturday, the department reported the first COVID-19 death in the prison system, a prisoner from Parnall Correctional Facility.  So far, that is the only death among prisoners.  A total of 2 staff have died after contracting coronavirus;  a corrections transportation officer…

(April 6, 2020 3:50 PM) Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is seeking election workers to support elections amidst the coronavirus crisis. The May 5 local elections will be conducted primarily by mail, but election workers are needed to process and count ballots and staff clerk offices. “Elections are the foundation of our democracy, and our nation has a long history of holding them even in times of crisis and uncertainty,” said Benson. “All election work will be done in strict adherence to the protocols to prevent coronavirus transmission, including exercising social distancing, using sanitary equipment, and maintaining strong hygiene.”  Some clerks have said that many of the election workers that have served them in the past are seniors and not willing to do so in May due to their increased vulnerability to the coronavirus. Secretary Benson and her administration are seeking to fill their places with younger and less vulnerable workers by reaching out to large employers, colleges and sports teams.  “Democracy is a team sport, and election workers are the most valuable players,” said Benson, alluding to the website where people can fill out an interest form to serve, Michigan.gov/DemocracyMVP.  All registered voters are eligible to serve as election…

(April 6, 2020 3:34PM)  Michigan reported 1,503 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today,  with the state reported total now at 17,221. The State of Michigan is reporting 110 COVID-19-related deaths today, bringing the state total to 727.    The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12 PM today, there are 103 positive cases (cumulative), and 4 deaths (cumulative). As of 1 PM on Monday, April 6, Henry Ford Allegiance Health reports that 36 individuals being treated in their acute care hospital have tested positive for COVID-19; an additional 16 inpatient individuals have pending test results. 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 4/6/2020 County Cases Reported Deaths Allegan 15   Antrim 5   Arenac 3   Barry 7   Bay 30   Berrien 60 1 Branch 15 1 Calhoun 41 1 Cass 7 1 Charlevoix 8   Cheboygan 8 1 Chippewa 1   Clare 3   Clinton 56 1 Crawford 2   Delta 7   Detroit City 5023 193 Dickinson 2 1 Eaton 57 2 Emmet 13 2 Genesee 568 26 Gladwin 4   Gogebic 3 1…

Updated to include today's HFAH report. (UPDATED April 6, 2020 3:08 PM) The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12 PM today, there are 103 positive cases (cumulative), and 4 deaths (cumulative). Updated:  As of Monday, April 6 at 1 PM, Henry Ford Allegiance Health reports that 36 individuals being treated in their acute care hospital have tested positive for COVID-19; an additional 16 inpatient individuals have pending test results. *These numbers do not reflect any cases or deaths identified through Michigan Department of Corrections.  Their numbers are listed under a separate category "Others" for the Michigan Statistics.  MDOC numbers will be published by JTV each time they are updated by MDOC. Gender Number Percent Male 51 49.5% Female 52 50.5% Beginning April 2, 2020, the Age group will only be reported as a percentage of the total instead of the actual number.  Age - Years Percent 0 -19 1% 20 - 29 12% 30 - 39 14% 40 - 49 19% 50 - 59 25% 60 - 69 19% 70 -79 6% 80 4%

(April 6, 2020 11:33 AM) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldunis provided an update to Michigan's response to the coronavirus pandemic Monday in Lansing.  The Governor outlined the latest steps the state has taken and praised Michiganders for following her Stay Home Stay Safe executive order. Whitmer asked that people only leave home when absolutely necessary and referenced a New York Times map and graphic that showed Michigan residents are not traveling in observance of of the state’s orders and guidance. The Governor encouraged all Michiganders to wear a mask when going out.  “Wearing a mask does not make you immune.  Because there is a shortage of N95 and surgical masks, I encourage you to make your own mask,” she said. Last Friday, the CDC issued guidance on wearing cloth face coverings: CDC continues to study the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus across the United States.  We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms.  This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for…

(April 6, 2020 10:33 AM) By now, most people have heard about the standard actions we all should take to avoid spreading or catching COVID-19: staying inside or physically distant from others; running only essential errands; not touching our faces; and washing hands thoroughly and often. Less emphasis has been given to lifestyle behaviors that may affect your risk. More and more, experts are recognizing that smoking and vaping may play a role in your body’s response to the disease. Anecdotal reports have suggested a link between vaping and poor COVID-19 outcomes, says Amanda Holm, project manager for Henry Ford’s Tobacco Treatment Service. She points to physicians in New York State who have called for banning tobacco and vaping products because of their possible effect on the outbreak. Also, a few days ago, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer speculated that vaping in particular may relate to Michigan’s higher percentage of cases among people aged 20-49 years. Though there is not yet direct evidence for that, people with existing vaping-related lung damage are certainly at higher risk and must be especially careful. Additionally, it is very likely that cigarette smoking will worsen the course of COVID-19, due to its impact on the immune system and the inflammation and tissue damage it…