Health

(April 6, 2020 6:35 AM) Social Distancing is the new norm. Restaurants, bars, non-essential stores and libraries are closed. Many states, including Michigan, have enacted orders to ensure citizens stay at home unless they have essential jobs or need essential items like groceries or medicine. Although most people are staying inside, some are still nervous about contracting the virus while at the supermarket or even just opening the mail. These fears are warranted: since COVID-19 is a new virus, everything scientists know about it is developing in real time. Unlike other common viruses like influenza, there are few absolutes when it comes to COVID-19. While it’s always advised to take every precaution, a bit of good news is developing. Experts believe touching surfaces is a low-risk way to contract the virus. Coronavirus can be detected on surfaces for hours or days, depending upon the material—it’s thought that it can be detected on plastic for around three days and cardboard for a day. But that doesn’t mean it stays just as potent for that length of time, says Jennifer Burgess, D.O., a family medicine doctor with Henry Ford Health System. That said, low risk doesn’t mean no risk. Some of the most important things…

(April 5, 2020 10:27 PM) Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-38, which relaxes requirements for responding to FOIA requests made by mail or fax during the COVID-19 emergency. This action will protect workers who handle FOIA requests by allowing public bodies to defer portions of requests that would require workers to report to work in-person. The Executive Order takes effect immediately and ends at 11:59 p.m. on June 4, 2020. “During a time of crisis, it’s crucial that Michiganders have access to the information they need to stay safe. My administration is committed to ensuring that while also protecting public health and encouraging social distancing,” Governor Whitmer said. “This Executive Order encourages public bodies to respond to Freedom of Information Act requests in a timely manner and in the safest way possible.” Under the Executive Order, a public body must respond to a request received at its physical office via U.S. mail or fax within 10 business days after an employee receives and views the request. If a request requires a search of physical records it will be deferred until after the state of emergency and disaster declared in Executive Order 2020-33 is lifted. The Executive Order also…

Updated to include Sunday's HFAH numbers. (UPDATED April 5, 2020 10:02 PM) The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12 PM today, there are 91 positive cases (cumulative), and three deaths (cumulative). Update: As of 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 5, there are 36 individuals with positive COVID-19 results who are inpatients at Henry Ford Allegiance Health. An additional 8 persons under investigation are hospitalized at HFAH. To date, a total of 10 positive COVID-19 inpatients at HFAH have fully recovered and have been discharged, including one patient today. These numbers are posted each day by 12:00 Noon . These numbers do not reflect any cases identified through Michigan Department of Corrections.  MDOC cases are included in the state report issued each day at 3 PM. Gender Number Percent Male 44 48% Female 47 52% 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 11% 30 - 39 15% 40 - 49 18% 50 - 59 24% 60 - 69 21% 70 -79 6% 80 4%

(April 5, 2020 6:26 PM) Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed executive order 2020-37, which renews the restrictions on entry into care facilities and juvenile justice facilities the governor issued on March 14, 2020 until May 3, 2020. The order now requires facilities to use best efforts to facilitate remote visitations between individuals under their care and their loved ones, using phone or video conferencing software. The order also clarifies that “residential care facilities” include, but are not limited to, homes for the aged, nursing homes, adult foster care facilities, hospice facilities, substance abuse disorder residential facilities, independent living facilities, and assisted living facilities. “We must continue to do everything we can to protect Michiganders,” said Governor Whitmer. “This is a hard time for families, and we will continue to put their health and safety first when making these decisions. I encourage everyone in Michigan to remain flexible and do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19.” Effective immediately and continuing through May 3, 2020 at 11:59 pm, all health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities must prohibit from entering their facilities any visitors that: are not necessary for the provision of medical care,…

(April 5, 2020 5:42 PM) The Michigan Department of Corrections is reporting as of today, there are 227 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases at nine facilities throughout the state. In Jackson, there are 98 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases at Parnall Correctional Facility and 7 at Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center/Duane Waters Health Center.  Of those 7, one is a transfer from Detroit Reentry Center and one is a transfer from Kinross Correctional Facility, following release from the hospital.  Yesterday, the department reported the first COVID-19 death in the prison system, a prisoner from Parnall Correctional Facility. The MDOC reports the loss of two corrections professionals in Detroit, who passed away after contracting coronavirus. The department said, “Corrections staff are courageous. They never hesitate to help others in need, regardless of the situation, and show an unending commitment to protecting the citizens of our state safe. “We mourn the loss of two corrections professionals, a corrections transportation officer and a word processing assistant at the Lahser Probation Office in Detroit, who passed away after contracting coronavirus (COVID-19). “Their dedication to the safety of all Michigan residents will not be forgotten. Our thoughts are with their family, friends and colleagues during…

(April 5, 2020 3:12PM)  Michigan reported 1,493 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today,  with the state reported total now at 15,718. The State of Michigan is reporting 77 COVID-19-related deaths today, bringing the state total to 617.    The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12 PM today, there are 91 positive cases (cumulative), and three deaths (cumulative). As of 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, there are 26 individuals with positive COVID-19 results who are inpatients at Henry Ford Allegiance Health. There are also 13 persons under investigation who are inpatient at HFAH. As of this morning, eight positive COVID-19 inpatients at Henry Ford Allegiance Health have fully recovered and were discharged to return home. 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 County Cases Reported Deaths Allegan 14   Antrim 4   Arenac 3   Barry 6   Bay 30   Benzie 1   Berrien 58 1 Branch 13 1 Calhoun 42 1 Cass 7 1 Charlevoix 7   Cheboygan 8 1 Chippewa 2   Clare 1   Clinton 55 1 Crawford 1   Delta 7  …

(April 5, 2020 12:45 PM) Henry Ford Allegiance Health is inviting the community to show support for all first responders to the COVID-19 crisis.  Americans are doing their part to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus by staying home when possible. Meanwhile, healthcare workers and first responders in all lines of work are rushing in to care for those persons sickened by this virus. HFAH invites you to display a white ribbon outside your home or place a white ribbon image in your front window to let all individuals working to keep you safe know that you have their backs. If you don’t have white ribbon, please don’t go out to buy supplies. You can obtain a white ribbon pattern here. In a Facebook post, HFAH said, “We wanted to say "Thank You” to our community! We've seen the white ribbons around town and read the comments pouring in, showing us overwhelming community support in the last month. This really gives us strength and inspiration to carry on! But, many on the front line are working long hours at the hospital, so please share your photos or well wishes in the comments for everyone to see!” Share photos here: https://www.facebook.com/AllegianceHealth/…

(April 5, 2020 9:17 AM) Michigan’s U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow are calling on the Trump Administration to issue stimulus checks automatically to recipients of benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Supplemental Security Income program. In their letter, the Senators point out that these are two groups with large amounts of non-filers and groups that the federal government has the data necessary to deliver the stimulus checks automatically. The Senators’ letter follows their successful efforts this week to push the U.S. Treasury Department to automatically send Social Security recipients direct cash assistance included in the CARES Act without having to file tax returns. On Friday, The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service announced that Social Security beneficiaries who are not typically required to file tax returns will not need to file an abbreviated tax return to receive an Economic Impact Payment. Instead, payments will be automatically deposited into their bank accounts.  “Social Security recipients who are not typically required to file a tax return do not need to take an action, and will receive their payment directly to their bank account,” said Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin.  The IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 and Form RRB-1099 to…

(April 4, 2020 9:51 PM) The MDOC has had its first death of a prisoner who tested positive for COVID-19. He was housed at Parnall Correctional Facility. According to department spokesman Chris Gautz, this prisoner had not previously been tested and had never told healthcare that he was feeling sick. The man was found unresponsive in his cell and was taken to the hospital, where he died. The hospital then tested him and the results came back positive for the virus.  MDOC said they reiterated In a message to prisoners how important it is for prisoners to let healthcare know if they are feeling sick. MDOC there are 207 COVID-19 positive inmates in 9 facilities statewide as of today. Of that total, there are 90 confirmed cases of COVID-19 positive prisoners at Parnall Correctional Facility in Jackson as of Saturday. Also in Jackson,  there are 7 COVID-19 positive prisoners at the Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center/Duane Waters Health Center. Note: The State of Michigan is classifying all MDOC COVID-19 information as a separate jurisdiction and it is not included within county statistics. In a communication to staff, MDOC listed the series of measures it is taking to protect…

(April 4, 2020 8:37 PM) COVID-19 deaths will be reported by physicians and funeral homes more quickly under an emergency order issued today by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon that will improve the state’s response to slowing the spread of the virus. The order, effective immediately, gets important death information to public health officials so they can better provide health services and enforce health laws. “MDHHS is committed to protecting the public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why I am issuing this emergency order,” Gordon said. “To inform sound decision-making and protect Michiganders, public health officials need accurate information about COVID-19 deaths as quickly as possible. I appreciate the work of our funeral home directors and physicians right now, and I am grateful to partner with them in taking quick action during this pandemic.” The order requires physicians who know or suspect that a patient’s death resulted from COVID-19 to try to promptly notify the funeral director. The funeral director is then required to initiate the death record and submit to the attending physician within 24 hours of becoming aware that the death resulted or is suspected to have resulted from COVID-19…