Health

(March 27, 2020 4:19 PM) Michigan’s small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 virus can soon apply for grants and loans through the Michigan Small Business Relief Program, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today. The program will provide up to $20 million in grants and loans to provide economic assistance to Michigan’s small businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 virus, and in turn help support workers and their families facing economic uncertainty during the outbreak. Information on how to apply, as well as eligibility criteria, is available at www.michiganbusiness.org/covid19. The grants will be administrated by 15 regional economic development organizations throughout the state, which combined cover all 83 counties in Michigan.  In Jackson County, the grants will be administered by the Enterprise Group of Jackson (EG).  EG President and CEO Tim Rogers told JTV this afternoon that his team is working on getting all the information on the EG’s website today, but the application itself will not be active until Monday for Jackson County businesses.  Ann Arbor SPARK is the regional economic development agency that includes the Enterprise Group of Jackson.    “Small businesses across our state are facing unprecedented challenges as we take every step possible to…

(March 27, 2020 3:17 PM)  Michigan reported 801 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today,  with the state reported total now at 3,657. The State of Michigan is reporting 32 COVID-19-related deaths today, bringing the state total to 92. Henry Ford Allegiance Health reported this afternoon there are 16 confirmed positive cases in Jackson County.   Of that total, 10 are inpatient at HFAH.  There was no increase in confirmed positive cases since yesterday’s report. 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 1   Barry 1   Bay 4   Berrien 18   Calhoun 9   Cass 1   Charlevoix 4   Clare 1   Clinton 8   Crawford 1   Detroit City 1075 23 Dickson 1   Eaton 8   Emmet 3   Genesee 91 4 Gladwin 2   Gogebic 1 1 Grand Traverse 3   Gratiot 1   Hillsdale 6   Huron 1   Ingham 26 1 Ionia 2   Iosco…

As of 12 p.m. on Friday, March 27, there are 16 positive cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Jackson County. Ten individuals are inpatients at Henry Ford Allegiance Health. This is the same number as of Thursday, March 26, with no new positive cases reported.

(March 27, 2020 12:11 PM) Governor Gretchen Whitmer said this morning that it is “very unlikely” that Michigan’s schools will re-open this school year. Speaking live on WWJ Radio in Detroit, Whitmer said,  "We are working diligently to come up with a plan to meet the needs of our kids. Anyone who's watching globally what's happening with this pandemic probably knows it's not going to be this year."  According to WWJ, Whitmer said the plan for schools and students living in quarantine under the coronavirus outbreak is not one that can be developed overnight, but it is in the works and should be announced soon. Whitmer reminded listeners, “The most effective way we can slow down the virus is to stay home.  I know this will be hard, but it will be temporary. If we all come together, get serious and do our part by staying home, we can stay safe and save lives.”  To hear the interview, click here.

(March 27, 2020 11:46 AM) The State of Michigan is working with utility companies to ensure protections are in place for customers as efforts to help slow the spread of the coronavirus impact families and businesses across the state. Major utilities including the state’s two largest, DTE Energy and Consumers Energy, have enacted moratoriums on service disconnections, and are extending flexible payment plans, for low-income customers, seniors and those impacted by illness or job losses related to the pandemic. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Stay Home, Stay Safe executive order directs Michiganders to stay in their homes except for approved reasons such as critical infrastructure jobs or performing tasks necessary for health and safety, at least through April 13, 2020. “Michiganders are tough, and we will get through this emergency by helping one another,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. “We are fortunate that utilities across Michigan have stepped up with proactive policies to assist those in need during this crisis.” “During these unprecedented times with a variety of concerns, worrying about utility bills should not be one of them,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “As Chief Consumer Advocate for this state, I am heartened to hear Michigan utilities voluntarily stepping up to help their customers.”…