Health

(March 23, 2020 3:36 PM) As of 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23, there are five positive cases of COVID-19 identified in Jackson County. One individual is inpatient at Henry Ford Allegiance Health; the other four are recovering at home. Additionally, due to a temporary supply shortage, the Henry Ford Allegiance Health COVID-19 drive-through screening and testing center is closed until further notice. To facilitate timely updates on testing numbers in Jackson County, Henry Ford Allegiance Health is collaborating with the Jackson County Health Department.  “We are working with partners at Jackson County Health Department to compile COVID-19 testing numbers from across our county and hope to share them soon. At this point, we are working on the most timely way to report accurate numbers to the media and our community as they become available,” said Courtland Keteyian, MD, MBA, MPH, vice president of Population Health, Henry Ford Allegiance Health, and president and CEO of Jackson Health Network.  Henry Ford Allegiance will be holding a news conference Tuesday at 1 PM and JTV will carry it live. Local COVID-19 information and facility closures are regularly updated and available at HenryFord.com/COVID19Jackson.

(March 23, 2020 2:29 PM)  Michigan reported 293 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today,  with the state reported total now at 1,328. The State of Michigan is reporting seven COVID-19-related deaths today, bringing the state total to 15. Today’s reported deaths are in the City of Detroit and Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties. No new cases were reported for Jackson County.  Jackson County has one positive COVID-19 case which was announced on Tuesday. 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 Berrien 2   Calhoun 1   Chippewa 1   Detroit City 86 2 Genesee 9   Ingham 1   Kalamazoo 3   Kent 8   Livingston 1   Macomb 35 1 Monroe 1   Muskegon 1   Newaygo 1   Oakland 52 3 Otsego 2   Ottawa 5   Washtenaw 7   Wayne 75 1 Out of state 2   Total 293 7 City of Detroit and Wayne County…

(March 23, 2020 12:01 PM) Henry Ford Health System is now accepting new and unused medical supplies. HFHS has identified two drop-off locations for businesses and organizations looking to donate new and unused medical supplies. These are shipping and receiving docks at:  Henry Ford Allegiance Health, 205 N. East Avenue, Jackson.  Henry Ford’s corporate offices, located at One Place Drive, between Second and Third streets, 3 ½ blocks south of West Grand Boulevard in Detroit. “We are extremely grateful to our partners in the medical community and business community who are coming forward with their donations,” says Bob Riney, president of Healthcare Operations and chief operating officer. “The unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges unseen before in health care.  As we prepare for an expected surge of patients, these donations, whether large or small, will help keep our patients and our team members safe.” Because of unique safety regulations in health care, donations are limited to new and unused medical supplies. Key items are: disposable face masks, N95 respirators, eye protection including face shields and safety goggles, disposable gowns, disposable gloves (especially non latex), disposable surgical caps, disposable foot covers, bleach and/or antimicrobial wipes and hand sanitizer. More specialized…

(March 23, 2020 10:58AM) Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order (EO 2020-21), 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 an outdoor activity, or performing tasks necessary to the health and safety of themselves or their family, like going to the hospital or grocery store.   Effective at 12:01 am on March 24, 2020, for at least the next three weeks, individuals may only leave their home or place of residence under very limited circumstances, and they must adhere to social distancing measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention when they do so, including remaining at least six feet from people from outside the individual’s household to the extent feasible under the circumstances.  “In just 13 days, we’ve gone from 0 to over 1,000 COVID-19 cases,” said Governor Whitmer. “This is an unprecedented crisis that requires all of us working together to protect our families and our communities. The most effective way we can slow down the virus is to stay home. I know…

(March 23, 2020 7:06 AM) Consumers Energy President and CEO Patti Poppe and her husband announced today they are donating $1 million to help small businesses in her company’s hometown of Jackson as a personal commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic, “We like to say at Consumers Energy that no one can do everything, but everyone can do something. I think it’s important that we all do what we can right now to help our friends and neighbors,” Poppe said. “Small businesses are the heart of our state, and my husband and I are hopeful that we can do our part to help the businesses in our hometown  through this extraordinary time.” Poppe and her husband, Eric, are making the donation to the Jackson Community Foundation to set up the Dream Maker Small Business Emergency Relief Fund. The money ultimately will be provided as grants to businesses through The Enterprise Group, Jackson County’s economic development agency. Patti Poppe is a Jackson County native and still lives in the county today.  The fund will accept donations from the public, and businesses can apply for assistance online. Learn more: www.DreamMakerFund.org  The Consumers Energy Foundation also announced last week it is supporting two statewide…

(March 22, 2020 8:45 PM) A group of restaurants from around the country is backing a new campaign called the “Great American Takeout” in a bid to support the struggling restaurant industry,  hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Tuesday, March 24 has been designated “Great American Takeout Day”. Besides Michigan, several other states have ordered dine-in restaurant operations to close.  The shutdown is creating significant economic harm in the restaurant industry.  An estimated 15 million people are employed in the sector. All restaurants in Michigan can still offer take-out, delivery and catering service and the coalition is asking Americans to order at least one delivery or pick-up meal on Tuesday to show support for the industry. Many Jackson area restaurants are offering take-out service and JTV is maintaining a listing here.  Restaurants are invited to submit their information here. Jason Martinez, General Manager of One North Kitchen and Bar said, “Takeout is going as well as can be expected.  We’re looking forward to continuing our hours of 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM.  We’re also doing curbside pickup as well as contact-free delivery or standard to go orders.” Some restaurants are also able to deliver beer and wine.  “Because of the…

(March 22, 2020 4:14 PM) 108,710 unemployment claims were filed in Michigan between last Monday and Friday, compared to a normal average of around 5,000 claims.  Figures released today by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity show an approximate 2,100% increase over an average week. As thousands of employees across Michigan are impacted by COVID-19, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order signed on Monday to expand unemployment benefits continues to provide emergency relief to the state’s working families. While experiencing a tremendous increase in demand, Michigan’s unemployment system continues to serve customers. “We understand that COVID-19 has caused economic harm to our workers as sacrifices are made to protect all of our residents. Extending and expanding unemployment benefits has provided emergency relief to many Michiganders,” said Jeff Donofrio, director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. “Even though we’ve seen an unprecedented need for emergency financial assistance, Michigan’s unemployment system, and its hardworking staff, continue to provide critical help online and over the phone. Michiganders impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic should continue to visit michigan.gov/UIA  or call 866-500-0017 to apply for benefits.” States from around the country have experienced similar increases in unemployment claims as a result of COVID-19…

(March 22, 2020 2:07 PM)  Michigan reported 249 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today, pushing the state reported total to 1,035. The State of Michigan is reporting three COVID-19-related deaths today, bringing the state total to 8.  The first death in Western Michigan, occurring in Kent County,  is among the deaths reported.  Other deaths in today’s count were in the City of Detroit and in Macomb County. No new cases were reported for Jackson County.  Jackson County has one positive COVID-19 case which was announced on Tuesday. 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. The daily report from the State now includes results from commercial and clinical labs who recently began providing COVID-19 testing. MDHHS is currently receiving reports from commercial labs LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics and several clinical labs including Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, the Beaumont Hospital Network, Henry Ford Health System and the MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories (BOL). Daily Confirmed COVID-19 Cases by County County Cases…