Health

(March 24, 2020 3:49 PM)  Michigan reported 463 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today,  with the state reported total now at 1,791. The State of Michigan is reporting 9 COVID-19-related deaths today, bringing the state total to 24. Henry Ford Allegiance Health reported this afternoon there are 6 confirmed positive cases in Jackson County.  The state updates its totals at 2 PM each day.  The numbers often do not reflect an individual county’s case count because the counties may report confirmed cases a day earlier than the state. The state is now reporting positive tests as of 10 a.m. on the same day. Daily Confirmed COVID-19 Cases by County County Cases Deaths Bay 1   Berrien 3   Calhoun 1   Charlevoix 1   Clinton 3   Detroit City 152 2 Eaton 1   Emmet 1   Genesee 11   Gladwin 1   Grand Traverse 2   Hillsdale 1   Ingham 3   Isabella 2   Jackson 5   Kalkaska 1   Kent 3   Lapeer 1   Livingston 4   Macomb 50 1 Manistee 1   Monroe 5   Muskegon 2   Newaygo 1   Oakland 99   Otsego 2   Ottawa 4   Saginaw 6   St. Clair…

(March 24, 2020 3:24 PM) To maximize Coronavirus COVID-19) sampling and testing capacity and ensure timely reporting of critical resources and needs, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon today issued an emergency order establishing procedures to be followed during the pandemic to ensure continuation of essential public health services and enforcement of health laws. This order is effective immediately. “To save lives, we need to do two things: dedicate our limited lab capacity to the highest priority tests and obtain consistent, timely reports on hospital beds and PPE,” said Gordon. “This order aims to accomplish those goals.” “This is another step the state is taking toward saving lives during this pandemic,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “The ultimate goal is to slow the spread of the virus so our health care system doesn't get overwhelmed and we prevent as much illness as possible.” Pursuant to MCL 333.2253, Gordon ordered that: Facilities in the state of Michigan processing tests for COVID-19 must prioritize sampling and testing for COVID-19 as instructed by MDHHS. This currently includes specimens associated with active investigations of known contacts, individuals with concerning exposure histories and…

(March 24, 2020 10:42 AM) Given Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order, LifeWays Community Mental Health will move to a more restricted service array.  Consumers with previously scheduled essential service appointments will be screened prior to receiving onsite services. LifeWays will continue to focus significant efforts on sustaining its mission of providing outstanding behavioral health services while ensuring the safety of both consumers and staff. This means LifeWays will only offer the following essential services and utilize telehealth where possible. As always, please continue to use our 24/7 Access Crisis Line at 1 (800) 284-8288 for access to services, telehealth, crisis concerns, and all other questions. Essential services will occur at both locations: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday Access/Intake Assessments: To be via telehealth. Crisis Line 1 (800) 284-8288: Continues as usual. Crisis R&R: Closed until further notice. Hospital Pre-Screens: To be done telephonically in conjunction with Emergency Department staff. Mobile Crisis Teams: contact the crisis line and you will be connected to a crisis team member for appropriate intervention. Psychiatric Evaluations: Telephone pre-screen to determine the need to be present Medication Reviews: to be conducted via telehealth. Outpatient Therapy: appointments continue as scheduled but…

March 23, 2020-JACKSON, MI For over 134 years, The Salvation Army of Jackson County has been at the frontlines in the war against poverty; uplifting and giving hope to many facing hardships and challenges. Through our mission The Salvation Army is dedicated to serving others and offering hope in a variety of ways. To ensure the delivery of our vital mission and protect the public we are actively monitoring the recent developments regarding the novel Corona Virus Pandemic. In order to limit exposure risk to our clients and staff - The Salvation Army of Jackson County will be restricting its operating hours to Monday – Thursday – 8:30 am – 12:00 p.m. The Pantry will be open 10:00 am – 12:00 noon and emergency sanitation protocols will be followed. We need the public to donate the following items: Non-perishable food, bread, paper products like paper towels and toilet paper, sanitizing products, protective gloves and face masks. Gift cards are also encouraged. Financial contributions allow us the most flexibility in responding to emerging needs and may be mailed to our address or made online at SAJackson.org. No clothing will be accepted at this time. Items may be dropped off during our…

(March 24, 2020 10:21 AM) You can help your community meet a vital need. Jackson College will host an American Red Cross blood drive on Wednesday, March 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Victor Cuiss Fieldhouse.   The American Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage due to the coronavirus outbreak prompting an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations. To help this situation, Dr. Daniel J. Phelan, Jackson College president, has decided to allow the drive in the Fieldhouse despite the current campus closure. “I am assured that the Red Cross will deploy aggressive hygienic procedures to keep the environment safe for all,” Phelan said.  This shortage is part of a national situation. Even the U.S. Surgeon General has noted the critical need. “You can still go out and give blood. We’re worried about potential blood shortages in the future. Social distancing does not have to mean social disengagement,” said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams. Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood. Donating is a safe process with numerous precautions regularly in place. Please visit www.redcrossblood.org to learn more or to schedule an appointment for March 25. 

(March 24, 2020 8:23 AM) Governor Whitmer, in an effort to protect all Michiganders, yesterday signed Executive Order 2020-21 that directs residents to remain at home or in their place of residence to the maximum extent feasible. A summary of her, "Stay Home, Stay Safe,” Executive Order is available online.  For purposes of this order, critical infrastructure workers are those workers described by the Director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in his guidance of March 19, 2020 on the COVID-19 response. The State of Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity is providing the following available resources for workers and employees affected by COVID-19. If you have questions related to the governor’s order or the resources below, contact: LEO-Coronavirus@michigan.gov. Jeff Donofrio, Director, says they will continue to do everything they can to provide economic relief to employees and businesses affected by COVID-19.   For Workers Fling for Unemployment Benefits Eligible employees are strongly encouraged to apply for unemployment benefits online at Michigan.gov/UIA or by calling 866-500-0017. A factsheet on how to apply for benefits can also be found online. Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-10 expands unemployment benefits to:  Sick Workers: Workers who are sick, quarantined, or immunocompromised and…

(March 24, 2020 7:05 AM) The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced that, in response to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-21, it will close state park campgrounds, overnight lodging facilities and shelters, effective now through at least April 13. State parks and recreation areas will remain open to provide residents with opportunities to get outdoors, provided all visitors adhere to the requirement for proper social distancing – at least 6 feet between yourself and another person – in all areas of the parks. Gov. Whitmer issued the “stay home, stay safe” order  in an effort to “suppress the spread of COVID-19, to prevent the state’s health care system from being overwhelmed, to allow time for the production of critical test kits, ventilators, and personal protective equipment, and to avoid needless deaths.” State parks and recreation areas will remain open to provide residents with opportunities to get outdoors, provided all visitors adhere to the requirement for proper social distancing – at least 6 feet between yourself and another person – in all areas of the parks. State and federal health officials repeatedly have pointed to the physical and mental health benefits of spending time outdoors, especially at a time when…

(March 23, 2020 9:35 PM) The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) tonight issued an emergency alert to advise Michigan residents of the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order (EO 2020-21), signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, directing all Michigan businesses and operations to temporarily suspend in-person operations that are not necessary to sustain or protect life. The order also directs Michiganders to stay in their homes unless they’re a part of that critical infrastructure workforce, engaged in certain outdoor activities, or performing tasks necessary to the health and safety of themselves or their family, like going to the hospital or grocery store. “Protecting the health and safety of Michigan residents and mitigating the spread of COVID-19 is an urgent priority,” said Major Emmitt McGowan, deputy state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division. “This is an unprecedented crisis and we must use all resources available, including emergency alerts, to keep residents informed.”  The alert was issued at 8:17 p.m. Monday through the Integrated Public Alert Warning System (IPAWS). The IPAWS is designed to improve communication efforts between emergency management officials and the public by utilizing satellite television, cable…