Health

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced today four adults tested presumptive positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This brings the state total of COVID-19 cases to 16. The specimens will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation testing. The cases include: An adult female from Detroit with unknown travel history. An adult male from Washtenaw County with history of international travel. An adult female from Wayne County with history of contact with a confirmed case. An adult male. No additional information is available on this case at this time. Updated information will be provided as it is available. Testing is still underway for today and additional updates may be provided. COVID-19 symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. They include: Fever Cough Shortness of breath This is a rapidly evolving situation. Updates will be posted to Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced at a press conference today that all 131 Michigan Secretary of State branch offices will be changing operations to slow the spread of the coronavirus. During the three-week period from March 16 to April 6 branches will only offer services for critical transactions that must be conducted in-person and only by appointment. “Walk-ins” will be asked to make an appointment, for the same day if available. “The goal is to eliminate any potential crowding in our offices, and thereby support the work of Governor Whitmer and her administration to protect the health of all state employees and Michiganders,” said Benson. The types of transactions available in-person at branches during this three-week period will be limited to the following three critical services: New driver’s licenses and state IDs Title transfers Testing for an original commercial driver’s license, chauffer’s license, mechanic’s license, motorcycle license, and recreational vehicle license During the three-week period the number of appointments available will be increased, and same-day appointments will continue to be available. Services will also continue to be available online, by mail and at new self-service stations across the state, many of which accept cash. Saturday branch services will be…

The Jackson County Health Department and Henry Ford Allegiance Health are partnering to ensure Jackson and surrounding communities are equipped with the latest news, information and recommendations for the respiratory disease COVID-19. According to a press announcement by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday, March 12, at 11 pm, a total of twelve presumptive positive COVID-19 cases have been identified in Michigan.  “At this point, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Jackson County. We are monitoring the situation very closely and will issue a public statement if that changes,” said Rashmi Travis, Health Officer, Jackson County Health Department. Both organizations encourage the public to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) instructions for preventing the spread of COVID-19: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. “If anyone is experiencing…

Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-5 to cancel all events over 250 people and all assemblages in shared spaces over 250 people beginning on Friday, March 13 at 5:00pm and ending on Sunday, April 5 at 5:00pm. The governor’s executive order also closes all K-12 school buildings to students from Monday, March 16 until Sunday, April 5. Child care facilities will remain open during this time, whether they are attached to schools or free standing.  Under this executive order, all events and shared-space assemblages of more than 250 people are temporarily prohibited in the state. Certain assemblages are exempt from this prohibition, such as those for the purpose of: industrial or manufacturing work, mass transit, or the purchase of groceries or consumer goods.  “This is about protecting the most people we can from the spread of coronavirus,” said Governor Whitmer. “My administration will continue to do everything we can to mitigate the spread, and to ensure our children, families, and businesses have the support they need during this time. We are going to get through this, but we must be flexible and take care of each other.”  “Prohibiting large assemblages is the smart thing to do to mitigate…

The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) will cease in-person visiting of prisoners effective immediately for the safety of staff, prisoners and the public. This will also include outside volunteers and other tours and groups who routinely come into the prisons. There are now 12 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the state, and in seven counties. These are community cases and there is no known connection between these cases and the MDOC. “This was not a decision we arrived at lightly, as we understand and recognize the importance of family contact with the prison population,” said MDOC Director Heidi Washington. “Our primary concern has to be public safety and reducing the number of people who enter our facilities is a key factor in limiting the potential spread of this illness into our prisoner population.” The department will monitor the situation to determine when visits will be restored. During the period without visits, the department is working with its vendors that provide communication services to the prison population on enhanced services that may be able to be offered. For staff working in the facilities, all will be asked a series of screening questions and will have their temperature checked before…

Tonight, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that in order to slow the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan, she is ordering the closure of all K-12 school buildings, public, private, and boarding, to students starting Monday, March 16 until Sunday, April 5. School buildings are scheduled to reopen on Monday, April 6.   As of tonight, the number of presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Michigan is 12.  “This is a necessary step to protect our kids, our families, and our overall public health,” said Governor Whitmer. “I am working with partners across state government to ensure educators, parents, and students have the support they need during this time, and to ensure our children who rely on school for meals have access to food. I know this will be a tough time, but we’re doing this to keep the most people we can safe. I urge everyone to make smart choices during this time and to do everything they can to protect themselves and their families.”  “Closing our K-12 school buildings is the responsible choice that will minimize the risk of exposure for children, educators, and families and mitigate the spread of coronavirus,” said Michigan State Superintendent Michael Rice. “The Department…

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the health departments in Ingham, Kent, Montcalm, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties announced today 10 adults tested presumptive positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This brings the state total of COVID-19 cases to 12. “We continue to urge Michiganders to take precautions to prevent the spread COVID-19 in our state,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “We have to proactively implement community mitigation strategies that will help prevent the spread of the disease, and particularly protect our most vulnerable Michiganders.” Clinical specimens were collected from the individuals and sent to the MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories where they tested presumptive positive for COVID-19. The specimens will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation testing. The cases include: An adult female from Ingham County with history of travel on a cruise. Two adult females from Kent County and one adult male, all with history of international travel. An adult female from Montcalm with history of international travel. Two adult males from Oakland County; one with no travel history and one with domestic travel. An adult male from St. Clair County…