Health

From Henry Ford Health System: As you may be aware, Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered health care facilities to prohibit any visitors not necessary for medical care. Additionally, we are required to begin screening people who are seeking entry into our facilities for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. These safety measures, effective until April 5, are necessary to protect our patients, families, staff and community during the outbreak of COVID-19. Of utmost importance is the protection and health of hospital/healthcare workers, and vulnerable patients who are already in healthcare settings. Therefore, effective today (Saturday, March 14), we have put temporary measures into place that restrict routine visiting of family, friends and community at our hospitals and Emergency Rooms until the transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat. While our patient care philosophy depends greatly on engaging families to be present as part of the healing process, the decision to restrict visitation and limit family presence was difficult. Effective immediately, all visitors will be prohibited from HFHS facilities except for the situations listed below. These exceptions only apply if a visitor screens negative for symptoms of respiratory infection (fever, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath) upon entry into the…

Governor also orders state public bodies to postpone public meetings if possible and facilitate remote participation Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-6 to impose temporary restrictions on entry into health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities. The governor also signed Executive Directive 2020-2 to order state public bodies to postpone the public meetings that they can and to facilitate remote participation in the meetings that do occur.  Under Executive Order 2020-6, beginning Saturday, March 14 at 9:00am all health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities must prohibit any visitors that are not necessary for medical care, support of activities of daily living like bathing or eating, or that are not visiting under exigent circumstances. Additionally, beginning as soon as possible but no later than Monday, March 16 at 9:00am, these facilities must assess for COVID-19 symptoms and risk factors for all individuals not under their care who are seeking entry into their facilities. The facilities must deny entry to any individual with these symptoms or risk factors. These restrictions will remain in place until April 5, 2020 at 5:00pm. During that time, the order encourages the…

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced today nine adults tested presumptive positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This brings the state total of COVID-19 cases to 25. The specimens will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation testing. The cases include:  An adult male from Bay County with history domestic travel. An adult female from Charlevoix County with history of international travel. An adult female from Detroit with history of international travel. An adult male from Macomb County with history of international travel. Two adult females and an adult male from Oakland County, one with history of international travel two with unknown travel history. Two adult females from Wayne County, one with history of domestic and the other with no history of travel.  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.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced today the launch of a statewide hotline to respond to health-related questions about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) starting tomorrow, March 14, at 9 a.m. “As we continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our state, we want to ensure Michiganders have the information they need to stay healthy, address concerns and know where to go for the care they need if they experience symptoms,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. Public health and other experts will answer health-related questions about COVID-19. The team can also direct residents, providers and more to the right resources in their local communities and in other state government departments. The hotline will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1-888-535-6136. Staff cannot provide individual clinical advice or a diagnosis through the hotline. If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19 and are symptomatic, call your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, call the nearest hospital.    Patients with confirmed infection have reported mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of: Fever…

The following advisory was issued by Bishop Earl Boyea to the clergy and lay faithful of the Diocese of Lansing on March 13, 2020, regarding the latest diocesan response to the threat of the Coronavirus. It is aimed at giving both clarity and reassurance at this time of uncertainty. It also comes on the day that the Diocese of Lansing announced that all its schools will be closed to students for three weeks starting Monday, March 16. Our Lady, Health of the Sick, pray for us. The advisory reads:  Advisory from Bishop Earl Boyea of Lansing re. Coronavirus Response, March 13, 2020  Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In the wake of World War One, the Spanish influenza pandemic infected a third of the world’s population and killed 50 million worldwide. In the United States, the city of St. Louis took the most aggressive action against the virus and, essentially, shut down their city. As part of that effort, Archbishop John Glennon of St. Louis temporarily suspended the obligation upon Catholics to attend Sunday Mass. This strategy of “social distancing” meant that the death rate in St. Louis was the lowest among the nation’s major cities. A century later, the…

When people feel uncertain, threatened, out of control, or unsafe their stress levels can rise. Stress is a normal reaction to uncertain situations. When people are stressed it is their bodies way of telling them to prepare for the unknown. This stress reaction is meant to help us, but it can also cause us to feel even more uncertain and anxious if information is unclear and inconsistent. Currently, the public is concerned about COVID-19, also known as “Coronavirus.” The uncertainty of what is to come is causing more stress and anxiety by the day. You may be wondering how you can prevent further stress or how to find calm in such uncertain times.  LifeWays is providing guidance in this article. During infectious disease outbreaks, our mental health is often affected. Amid such an outbreak, you should monitor your own physical and mental health. Know the signs of stress and try to recognize it in yourself and your loved ones. Signs that you or a loved one are experiencing stress include being on edge or moodiness. Stress can also make you feel angry, hopeless, or sad. You may have less patience and become easily frustrated. For those who already struggle with…

During the mandated State of Michigan shut down, JPS will be providing breakfast and lunch to ALL Jackson County school age children.  Children do not need to be present when picking up meals, rather parents may come and request the number of meals needed.  Please see information below on procedures and locations.   If you have other questions regarding community resources please utilize 2-1-1 service.   Jackson Public Schools recognizes that students are in need of healthy meals each day. To that end we have put together a list of sites where meals will be available for children. At this time, the USDA has lifted the requirement that meals must be eaten on site. Families will be asked to come to the service point and given meals. Each day we will hand out one lunch for the day and one breakfast for the next day per child. On Fridays we will provide 3 lunches and 3 breakfasts per child to help sustain them over the weekend. All meals will be distributed in individual bags. We are pleased to be able to provide meals for children at the sites below at the listed times. We will serve meals Monday-Friday from March 16 -…

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…