Health

(March 18, 2020 2:16 PM) The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced today 15 positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This brings the state total of COVID-19 cases to 80.  There are no new cases in Jackson County and the Jackson County count remains at 1 case which was reported yesterday. The department will provide statewide numbers daily at 2 PM for: Cases and deaths broken down by county Cases by age range (in 10-year increments) Cases by sex   The daily update will include all information reported through midnight the previous day.  “It is important to provide the public with accurate data regarding this outbreak,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “As the number of people tested has drastically increased in recent days, our team has transitioned the way it prioritizes and reports testing.”  The following charts are today’s totals, followed by cumulative totals. Confirmed COVID-19 Cases by County County Cases Bay 1 Charlevoix 1 Detroit 13 Ingham 2 Jackson 1 Kent 5 Leelanau 1 Macomb 10 Monroe 1 Montcalm 1 Oakland 23 Otsego 1 Ottawa 1 St. Clair 2 Washtenaw 7 Wayne 10 Total 80   Percentage of…

(March 18, 2020 12:06 PM) All Henry Ford Health System sites, including Henry Ford Allegiance Health, are postponing all procedures and appointments throughout the System that are not time sensitive. Some Henry Ford Allegiance Health locations are closed and will remain closed until further notice. This is being done in order to protect our patients and staff and to prepare for an increased demand for hospital beds and ventilators related to the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Michigan. All impacted patients are being notified via multiple platforms, including direct phone calls, that their procedures or appointments will be rescheduled as soon as Henry Ford Allegiance Health is certain it is safe to do so.  Henry Ford Health System will continue to reevaluate based on the progression of the COVID-19 outbreak. A current list of Henry Ford Allegiance Health location closings can be found at https://www.henryford.com/locations/allegiance-health/closures.

(March 18, 2020 11:41 AM) Effective immediately, the Jackson County Health Department and Human Services Building will begin to suspend or limit non-essential services. This will be an evolving situation over time. Our focus will be on diverting staff to work on the COVID-19 response including screening visitors coming into the building. All customers to the Human Services Building will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms prior to entry to their desired service provider. If you have business with any agency within the Human Service Building (Dept. on Aging, MSU Extension Services, Guardian’s Office, Smiles on Wheels Veterans Office, and Health Department) you are encouraged to call and ask if you can conduct your business remotely via phone, email or other method. The North Entrance and Lot A will be the single point of entry to the Human Services Building. Your cooperation and compliance with this new procedure is extremely appreciated as we take steps to reduce the risk of exposure of Coronavirus (COVID-19). If you have questions concerning COVID-19 testing, please call the Henry Ford MyCare Advice Line at (313) 874-7500 which is available 24 hours per day. The Jackson County Health Department Hotline for questions (not related to testing)…

Will Remain Open for Appointments (March 18, 2020  11:21 AM) The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) today announced that beginning today at 3 p.m, it will close its lobbies to visits from the public, except for customers with appointments. These changes will remain effective as long as necessary for the health and safety of the public. UIA offices will continue to serve the public and eligible employees are encouraged to apply for unemployment benefits online at www.michigan.gov/UIA or by calling 1-866-500-0017. Details on how to apply are also available online. “Michigan is doing all it can to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. We are asking residents to protect their health by not going into group settings unless necessary,” said UIA Director Steve Gray. “Limiting public visits to our UIA lobbies and eliminating in-person registration and work search requirements are critical steps in this emergency. The fastest and best method for unemployment resources can be found online at Michigan.gov/UIA. Residents can also connect with our agency by calling 1-866-500-0017.” UIA online resources include: File a claim for unemployment benefits Chat with a customer service agent (Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Send a message to a customer service agent (weekdays after 5 p.m. and before…

Penalties and Interest Waived for 30 days for Some Sales, Use and Withholding Tax Filers (March 18, 2020 11:08 AM) Small businesses that have experienced disrupted operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic now have additional time to make their sales, use and withholding tax monthly payment, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. Effective immediately, small businesses scheduled to make their monthly sales, use and withholding tax payments on March 20 can postpone filing and payment requirements until April 20. The state Treasury Department will waive all penalties and interest for 30 days. “The past week has been hard for small businesses owners across the state as we work to mitigate the spread of coronavirus,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. “Allowing them more time to pay their monthly tax payments will help us provide some much-needed assistance. I will continue doing everything I can to ensure our small businesses have the support they need during this time. We will get through this together.” Specific information about Treasury providing tax assistance to small businesses due to COVID-19 can be found in SUW Penalty and Interest Waiver Notice. “Our small businesses are important drivers of Michigan’s economy,” State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said. “This…

Requests Statewide SBA Disaster Declaration to Unlock Access to Emergency Loans for Michigan Businesses (March 17, 2020 9:38 PM) Governor Gretchen Whitmer today formally requested the U.S. Small Business Administration issue an Economic Injury Disaster declaration for the state. “I understand that small businesses across our state are facing unprecedented challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Whitmer. “I requested this disaster declaration from SBA as a critical step to ensure every possible resource is made available to businesses, communities, entrepreneurs and others around the state.” “This request and supporting application is the result of the hard work and collaboration of the Michigan Small Business Development Center and partners around the state pulling together and demonstrating our state’s resilience in working to overcome the temporary loss of revenue businesses are experiencing as a result of coronavirus,” said Mark Burton, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “We appreciate their significant efforts and will continue to leverage every resource possible to support our businesses, and the livelihoods they provide, throughout Michigan.” Earlier this month, Congress passed legislation that makes $1 billion available to the SBA to provide low-interest loans to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and nonprofits that…

(March 17, 2020 6:21 PM) Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-13, to temporarily lift regulatory requirements on hospitals and care facilities and help ensure an adequate number of health care providers available to patients during the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Under the executive order, effective immediately and until Wednesday, April 15 at 11:59pm, The Michigan Departments of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) may take steps to ensure more people receive care.  Executive Order 2020-13 grants LARA and DHHS authority to waive or defer certain requirements in order to expedite the process of bringing additional care facilities online during the COVID-19 emergency. The order also empowers LARA to ensure an adequate supply of care providers during the emergency by granting the department additional flexibility in its decisions about licensing, registration, and workflow requirements.  “This is a crisis unlike any we’ve seen before, and we must do everything we can to ensure care for the most people,” said Governor Whitmer. “This executive order will help expand capacity so more people can access the care they need while we work to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. I will continue to work quickly with our…