Health

(March 25, 2020 11:14 AM) Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-22, which extends the deadline to complete the canvass of the March 10 primary to April 24. As counties do their part and practice social distancing guidelines, some will not complete the canvass for the March 10 primary election by the statutory deadline. The counties remain in the best position to complete the count, and this executive action will ensure that happens. Without action, state employees would have to restart the count, wasting time and resources during this critical moment during the COVID-19 crisis. “This important Executive Order ensures county canvassers have extra time to complete their work following the March 10 Presidential Primary and that state resources remain focused on addressing this public health crisis,” Governor Whitmer said. “The health and safety of seniors, families and children across the state remains our top priority and I urge residents to stay home and stay safe, continue practicing social distancing if they must leave their home, wash their hands for at least 20 seconds and avoiding touching their face to help stop the spread of COVID-19.” “I am grateful to Governor Whitmer for ensuring our democracy will remain robust…

(March 25, 2020 10:25 AM) Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office notified Michigan Realtors®, the state trade organization for Realtors®, that real estate brokers and salespersons are not “critical infrastructure workers” and may not leave their home for work. Michigan Realtors® sought guidance from the Governor’s office as to whether real estate brokers and salespersons could continue working.  According to Michigan Realtors®,  last evening the Governor’s Office issued further guidance on real estate services under Executive Order 2020-21. The FAQ makes clear that real estate brokers and salespersons are not “critical infrastructure workers” and therefore may not leave their homes for work.  The only narrow exception to the order is the instance where work is absolutely necessary to assist those with a genuine and emergent need, such as an immediate lack of shelter.  In a statement to members, Michigan Realtors® said, “ The FAQ also uses the ambiguous term of “real estate service employees” which we do not know how to interpret. We have already communicated our concerns over the wording of this FAQ." The statement continues, “As for now, Michigan Realtors® current interpretation of Executive Order 2020-21 still stands. Real estate services, like the showing of homes and other property, open houses, and other client contact should be…

(March 25,2020 8:43 AM) The State of Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) today provided updated information for workers affected by COVID-19. Workers are encouraged to apply online at Michigan.gov/UIA or over the phone at 866-500-0017, but due to the tremendous call volume, certain callers may receive a busy signal.   “The UIA is working hard and fast to handle the influx of applications for unemployment benefits as we deal with the COVID-19 crisis. While an unprecedented number of calls and clicks has challenged the system, particularly during peak hours, we want to assure Michiganders that the system is providing emergency financial relief,” said UIA Director Steve Gray. "Our website may be operating a little slower, and phone queues are full resulting in busy signals for some callers, so the UIA is urging patience and recommending that workers go first to the online system at Michigan.gov/UIA.”  In addition, applying online in off-peak hours will expedite the process. The 24-hour website operates faster when there are fewer people on the site at any given time. The UIA also urges Michiganders using the website to expect longer load times. It may take several minutes for a page to load at this time. Users are asked to be…

(March 25, 2020 8:30 AM) The Michigan Department of Health and Humans Services (MDHHS)  announced three cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) among patients at its Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Saline and Walter Reuther Psychiatric Hospital in Westland. “Our primary focus is the health and safety of our staff and the patients at our state hospitals,” said MDHHS Director Robert Gordon. “We treat the spread of COVID-19 with the greatest seriousness and are taking many steps to address it.” Two of the positive cases are patients at Walter Reuther and one is at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry. In addition, three staff members at Walter Reuther have tested positive for COVID-19. Several weeks ago, isolation units were equipped in each of the state’s five psychiatric hospitals. Additional cleaning measures have been undertaken at the facilities and staff and patients have been monitored closely for COVID-19 symptoms for the last two weeks. The hospital also stopped allowing visitors at the hospitals two weeks ago. All State of Michigan psychiatric hospitals adhere to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines in regard to COVID-19. No additional information will be provided about the patients or staff who tested positive. Information around this…

(March 25, 2020 7:05 AM) University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel announced that that all spring and summer courses at U-M’s Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint campuses will be conducted remotely in alternative formats, as has been the case for winter semester courses since March 16. Schlissel also announced that all UM employees should now work remotely “unless your unit needs you on campus to maintain the work we’ve identified as critical to our mission.” That action, one of several items in a university-wide email, followed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s statewide “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order to help stem the spread of the novel coronavirus and COVID-19. According to Schlissel, the decision to move all spring and summer courses online “aligns with our ongoing efforts to respond to the pandemic, by maintaining this critical part of our mission while encouraging social distancing.”

(March 25, 2020 6:32 AM) The Attorney General’s office is reporting the AG’s Consumer Protection Hotline has been overwhelmed, literally bringing their system to a standstill.  The office says they have received an overwhelming number of calls related to the Governor’s COVID-19 Executive Orders.  The AG’s office has requested that media remind Michigan residents that any complaints related to the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order should be directed to local law enforcement agencies.  Failing to comply with the Governor’s Executive Orders could result in a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail for each violation. The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection team is designed to protect consumers from unfair, deceptive and fraudulent business practices. This team has received thousands of complaints but at this time its main focus is cracking down on price-gouging and scams related to COVID-19. All other violations of the Governor’s Executive Orders should be referred to local police departments for enforcement. The Department of Attorney General stands ready to assist local prosecuting attorneys’ offices as these cases move forward.  The Attorney General’s office, in a media release said,  “These are incredibly difficult times and we are all in uncharted territory. We ask for everyone’s cooperation, understanding and…

(March 24, 2020 9:18 PM) In accordance with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ recommendations designed to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be cancelling the spring Adopt-A-Highway pickups previously scheduled for April 18-26 and May 9-17 around the state. The program is currently planned to resume with the statewide summer pickup, scheduled for July 18-26. For more information, visit www.Michigan.gov/AdoptAHighway. The state is taking proactive steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in reducing the coronavirus risk to Michigan residents. Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

(March 24, 2020 7:51 PM) Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel today sent a cease and desist letter to two related Rockford-based businesses for marketing to consumers the “Coronavirus Defender Patch,” which the companies falsely claim will help protect people from contracting the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Meanwhile, price-gouging complaints related to COVID-19 filed with the Attorney General’s office are nearing 1,600.  The businesses, Frequency Apps Corp. and Biores Technologies Inc., claim the patch will “help aid the immune system to defend itself against exposure to the virus,” and “can help lessen the effect of the virus if you already have” it. The patch was priced at $49.99, but the companies stated that consumers could receive a 30-day supply of the patch for free when they buy a 45-day supply of any patches the companies sell.  “Providing consumers with a false sense of security that these patches could somehow protect them from this virus is simply wrong,” Nessel said. “I will not tolerate deceptive and misleading business practices at any time, but especially not during this time of uncertainty surrounding Michigan’s battle with COVID-19.”  The companies are likely in violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act because they may be:  Representing that goods or services have sponsorship, approval, characteristics, ingredients, uses, benefits or quantities that they do not have, or that a person has sponsorship,…

(March 24, 2020 5:20 PM) The City of Jackson is informing residents the City continues to respond to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impacts on the community. Following Gov. Whitmer’s Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order on Monday, March 23, City leaders have been making decisions about what this means for local government and the Jackson community.  The City issued details about its response in a news release: “Over the next three weeks, the City of Jackson will be following directives made in the Executive Order and strongly encourages its residents to do the same. Staying home and avoiding contact with those outside your home is an important way to stop the spread of this illness. It’s important to note that residents are still allowed to leave homes for food, medical needs, to 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. “To help combat COVID-19, Jackson City Hall is closed to employees and residents until Monday, April 13. Dozens of dedicated employees continue to work from behind the scenes at home to continue important services for residents. Critical operations of the City…

Updated to include additional information on the 6 confirmed cases. (UPDATED March 24, 2020 4:45 PM) Henry Ford Allegiance Health reported today there are 6 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Jackson County as of 1 PM today. Dr. Mark Smith, Chief Medical Officer of HFAH said, “Of the 6 positive cases, two are inpatient at HFAH, one in fair condition and one in critical condition.  3 cases are at home in good condition and self-isolating and the other remaining case has fully recovered.” HFAH reports there are 14 “persons of interest”, cases they are monitoring.  Dr. Smith says that means HFAH is watching their symptoms and waiting for test results to come back.  Those patients are in the hospital in private rooms with isolation and personal protective equipment is being used by staff and physicians taking care of the patients. Dr. Pamela Hackert, Medical Director of the Jackson County Health Department and an Occupational and Preventive Medicine Physician at HFAH reported at the press briefing that there are 1,809 positive COVID-19 cases in the State of Michigan. Dr. Hackert provided additional detail on the 5 new cases reported since yesterday: “The first case is a man, he did not travel,…