Health

(March 30, 2020 8:44 AM) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today announced new programs for workers affected by COVID-19. The governor, under the federal CARES Act, signed an agreement between Michigan and the U.S. Dept. of Labor to implement Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Compensation programs that grant benefits to workers who do not already qualify for state unemployment benefits. Workers include self-employed, 1099-independent contractors, gig, and low-wage workers who can no longer work because of the pandemic. The agreement also increases weekly benefits for all unemployed workers by $600 a week for up to four months and extends benefit payments from 26 to 39 weeks.  “The State of Michigan is dedicated to implementing measures to protect the health of all our residents and we understand financial health is critical as we meet this challenge together,” said Whitmer. “This increase and expansion of unemployment benefits will provide a measure of security for Michigan working families who lost their income due to the pandemic. We are committed to ensuring emergency financial relief for unemployed residents who continue to stay home and stay safe.” The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) will provide additional guidance regarding eligibility and application details in the coming days as it implements…

(UPDATED March 29, 2020 3:45 PM) The Jackson County Health Department has begun to release daily numbers of COVID-19 positive cases.  The Jackson County Health Department will provide information on number of positive cases, breakdown by age and sex, and number of deaths. Numbers may appear to conflict with the Michigan daily report.  The Michigan daily report is compiled based upon information submitted by Michigan counties at 10 AM each day.  The state report is released daily at 3 PM.  The Jackson County Health Department will be releasing  its report daily at 12 PM starting today. Positive COVID-19 case numbers for Jackson County previously were provided by Henry Ford Allegiance Health at various times.  HFAH will continue to provide numbers on patients at the hospital. According to the Jackson County Health Department, as of 12 PM today, there are 28 positive cases (cumulative), and one death. Henry Ford Allegiance Health reports as of 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, there are 12 individuals with positive COVID-19 results who are inpatients at Henry Ford Allegiance Health.  Jackson County Cumulative Report: Breakdown of COVID-19 positive cases by sex: Gender Number Percent Male 15 54% Female 13 46% Breakdown of COVID-19 positive cases…

(March 29, 2020 9:21 PM) Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-30, which relaxes scope of practice laws to give hospitals and other health-care facilities the flexibility they need to successfully deploy qualified physician assistants, nurses and other health care providers to combat COVID-19. The order also reinforces an existing law that protects hospitals and health-care workers from liability for taking necessary steps to protect Michiganders during an emergency. “Michigan’s dedicated health care professionals continue putting their lives on the line every day during this unprecedented crisis, and we must do everything we can to empower them to do their jobs,” Gov. Whitmer said. “This executive order temporarily sets aside some existing rules to allow qualified physician assistants, nurses and other health care providers to treat COVID-19 patients and help slow the spread of this virus in every corner of our state.” Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.   To view executive order 2020-30, click the link below: EO 2020-30.pdf

(March 29, 2020 8:06 PM) Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-29, which protects vulnerable populations in Michigan’s county jails, local lockups and juvenile detention centers during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Executive Order details risk-reduction protocols that have been adopted and implemented by the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) and that county jails and local lockups are strongly encouraged to adopt. In addition, to combat the spread of COVID-19, the order also temporarily suspends transfers into and from MDOC facilities until risk-reduction protocols are adequately in place, suspends provisions of the Jail Overcrowding Emergency Act to allow local officials more flexibility in releasing vulnerable populations who do not pose a threat to public safety, and orders the State Budget Office to immediately seek a legislative transfer so that jails may be reimbursed for lodging prisoners who would have been transferred to MDOC if not for that suspension of transfers. The order also makes strong recommendations for juvenile detention centers across the state to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19 in those facilities. “The health and safety of all Michiganders remains our top priority during this public health crisis and that includes those incarcerated in our jails and…

(March 29, 2020 3:14 PM)  Michigan reported 836 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today,  with the state reported total now at 5,486. The State of Michigan is reporting 21 COVID-19-related deaths today, bringing the state total to 132.  Yesterday, Henry Ford Allegiance Health reported Jackson County’s first COVID-19 related death. The State of Michigan is reporting there are 24 confirmed COVID-19 positive cases in Jackson County.  As of 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, Henry Ford Allegiance Health reported 11 inpatients with positive cases of COVID-19, with an additional 24 “persons under investigation” who are awaiting lab results and are being cared for on isolated units, preventing spread of the virus to other patients. The state will now be reporting numbers daily at 3 PM.  The MDHHS will no longer provide a daily county breakdown, but will report a cumulative county by county total. 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 Deaths Allegan 2   Barry 1   Bay 5   Berrien 29   Calhoun 15   Cass 4   Charlevoix 4   Cheboygan 1   Clare 1   Clinton 14   Crawford 1…

(March 29, 2020 2:07 PM) Jackson College is working with Henry Ford Allegiance Health as the hospital prepares for an influx of COVID-19 patients.  Jackson College President Dr. Dan Phelan said the College is already supplying equipment and supplies to HFAH.  “We’ve been working with Paula Autry (HFAH CEO) and her team on many levels.  One, we are providing supplies.  Over 10,000 masks, surgical gowns, gloves, cleaning materials and the like have been delivered to the hospital," said Phelan. "The college has approximately 20 ventilators, about half of those we loaded onto a truck and delivered this week." Phelan told JTV that they are holding onto some supplies and ventilators in the event the campus becomes a field hospital. “As an educational institution, we create simulations spaces for our health students.  We are a mini-hospital or field hospital in many respects,” said Phelan.  “Our health laboratory center has rooms that look like hospital suites.  We have medical equipment that our students need to practice on.  We’ve been readying that space for potential occupancy as a field hospital”. Over the weekend, preparations began to convert two of the Campus View housing buildings into temporary residences for health care workers.  A number…

(March 28, 2020 9:35 PM) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took steps today to ensure at-risk households have access to clean water for hand washing and sanitation through an executive order requiring the reconnection of service to residences that have had water service shut off. A $2-million Water Restart Grant Program will help communities comply with the order.  “This is a critical step both for the health of families living without a reliable water source, and for slowing the spread of the Coronavirus,” said Whitmer. “We continue to work to provide all Michiganders – regardless of their geography or income level – the tools they need to keep themselves and their communities protected.”   The order requires public water suppliers to immediately identify residences in their service area that do not currently have water service, and to make best efforts to restore service to homes where the service has been disconnected due to non-payment or damaged infrastructure. The order also includes reporting and accountability requirements.     The order is effective for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency. It does not absolve anyone from responsibility for past-due bills.    To assist communities in complying with the order, a $2-million fund has been established through Michigan Department of…

(March 28, 2020 6:19 PM) Henry Ford Allegiance Health has reported their hospital’s first patient death due to COVID-19. The male patient was a resident of Jackson County and was 74 at the time of his passing. He did have underlying health issues. Due to patient confidentiality, no other details are being released. “This is a sad day for our community and organization,” said Paula Autry, President and CEO of Henry Ford Allegiance. Health. “We would like to extend our prayers and most heartfelt condolences to the patient’s family and other loved ones and share our deepest thanks to our entire care team. They have been pouring their hearts and souls into patient care since this crisis began.”  Autry added, “While this situation is tragic and COVID-19 is new to us all, our response is not. The health care providers at Henry Ford Allegiance Health are well trained in infection prevention practices, and proper precautions are being used to keep our patients and front-line health care workers as safe as possible.” As of 5:30 p.m., Henry Ford Allegiance Health reported 11 inpatients with positive cases of COVID-19, with an additional 24 “persons under investigation” who are awaiting lab results and…