Health

(February 11, 2011 11:33 AM) Approximately 350,000 Michigan families will continue to have access to additional food assistance benefits during February as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced today. Michigan previously approved the additional food assistance beginning in March 2020 – and now that is being extended for February 2021 with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact virtually every aspect of our lives, the last thing Michigan families should have to worry about is being able to afford their groceries each week,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Michiganders deserve to have peace of mind in knowing resources are available to help them during this time, which is why I’m grateful we can continue providing this vital support for families throughout the state.” Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card by Feb. 28, with payments beginning for some households on Feb. 18. Additional benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance that is provided earlier in the month. “Extending these food assistance benefits is part of the department’s continuing…

(February 11, 2011 11:19 AM) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s third executive budget was released today, centered on equitably growing the state’s economy by expanding skills training and childcare for families, providing a further down payment on rebuilding the state’s crumbling bridges and water infrastructure, and helping small businesses recover from the pandemic. State Budget Director David Massaron outlined the recommendations this morning to a joint session of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.  The budget proposal for fiscal year 2011-12 contains for the most part small year-over-year increases to major programs and some larger investments designed to help those most affected by  COVID-19. The Governor said the budget recommendation provides investments that will foster the success of Michigan students and teachers, improve the state’s infrastructure, address the public health crisis, protect our Great Lakes, and provide help and opportunity for families and businesses.  Today’s Executive Budget Recommendation follows a recent supplemental budget request for the current fiscal year that was sent to the Legislature on January 20, which would provide $5.6 billion in new funding for Michigan’s recovery from the pandemic. That supplemental request still requires action by the Legislature to ensure the full benefits of Gov. Whitmer’s Michigan COVID Recovery Plan are realized.  Both the Senate and House have countered with lower spending proposals and no agreement is in sight.  “To build Michigan’s economy back better, we must stay laser-focused on getting Michigan back to work and getting our kids back in school safely,” said Gov. Whitmer. “The budget plan I released today along with…

(February 11, 2021 11:09 AM) As foreclosures loom for some residents due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Jackson is allocating more funds to help keep families in their homes. At their Tuesday, Feb. 9 virtual meeting, the Jackson City Council unanimously voted to put an additional $120,000 into a foreclosure prevention program. Additional money for this program uses CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) funds from the federal government. $100,000 will be used to help residents facing mortgage or tax foreclosure and $20,000 will go to the Community Action Agency (CAA) to administer the program. The City Council originally allocated $80,000 to the program in May 2020. Residents needing this assistance apply through CAA, and must met certain requirements, such as City residency, be of a low-to-moderate income, and prove they’ve been financially impacted by the pandemic. Payments go from CAA directly to the mortgage holder or the Jackson County Treasurer and not the resident. Mayor Derek Dobies says it’s important for the City to continue COVID-19 relief efforts for the community. “Economic strains brought on by the pandemic are putting residents in dire financial situations, which often means not being able to afford mortgage and…

(February 10, 2021 5:09 PM) The Michigan Department of Corrections (MODC) has learned of the detection of the SARS-CoV-2, B.1.1.7 variant at the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia (IBC). This is the first known case of the variant inside a MDOC facility. After consultation with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), all prisoners and employees there will now be tested daily, rather than the weekly testing they have been conducting. Prior to the detection of the variant at IBC, several prisoners who tested positive for COVID-19 were transferred to Duane Waters Health Center in Jackson and Macomb Correctional Facility.   It is not yet known if transferred prisoners were positive for the variant. According to MDOC Spokesman Chris Gautz, no results have come back from testing for the variant other than the original IBC case, an employee. Gautz told JTV News there were just two prisoners that were sent to Duane Waters who were COVID positive. B.1.1.7. is believed to be more contagious, but there has been no indication that it affects the clinical outcomes or disease severity compared to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that has been circulating across the United States for months. However, a higher…

(February 10, 2021 3:43 PM) Michigan reported 915 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today, with the state reported total now at 570,895. Michigan is reporting 12 COVID-19-related deaths today with the state total at 14,977.  State Cumulative Total of Recovered COVID-19 Cases (as of 2/5/21): 498,495. This information is updated Monday through Saturday at 3 p.m., with COVID-19 results included as of 10 a.m.  Monday reports include Sunday data. 

(February 10, 2021 12:00 PM) The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12:00 PM today, there are 8,921 positive cases (cumulative), and 198 deaths (cumulative)*.     There are 14 new cases since yesterday’s report.  Cumulative recovered, as of February 10:  8,021** The cumulative numbers posted on Mondays include the data from Sunday and Monday.  Recovered numbers are being posted as received. The Michigan Department of Corrections is reporting as of 4 PM February 6, there are 4,495 confirmed positive cases at Jackson facilities and 570 confirmed positive staff cases.  MDOC positive case numbers are cumulative. As of 3 PM February 9,  there are 14 persons at Henry Ford Allegiance Health being treated as inpatients for COVID-19. Note:  Jackson County will post COVID-19 data daily by mid-afternoon, Monday-Saturday, keeping with the schedule established by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The cumulative numbers posted on Monday will include the data from Sunday and Monday.  Recovered numbers are being posted as received.  Epicurve data and Township maps are also posted on Mondays by 3:30 PM. *These numbers do not reflect any cases or deaths identified through Michigan Department of Corrections.  Their…

(February 9, 2021 5:28 PM) As the supply of COVID-19 vaccine continues to be limited in Michigan, Henry Ford Health System is recommending that their patients and community members explore all the available options where vaccinations are being offered when they become eligible to get it. In a statement this afternoon, the health system said, “It’s more important that you get the vaccine rather than where you get it, whether it’s at Henry Ford, your local health department or neighborhood grocery store or pharmacy. We continue to prioritize vaccinations for healthcare workers, existing Henry Ford patients, essential workers and others who meet the broader eligibility requirements by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services.” Currently, Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson is continuing the vaccinations of those in the current eligibility categories; this week the hospital is administering the second doses for those who were vaccinated the first time in January.  HFHS is prioritizing patients age 65 and older and certain high-risk patients. Henry Ford does not have employment information available for this purpose of identifying eligibility by occupation. K-12 teachers, frontline essential workers, and others who are eligible to receive the vaccine due to their occupation will not…

(February 9, 2021 4:07 PM) Michigan reported 563 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today, with the state reported total now at 569,980. Michigan is reporting 60* COVID-19-related deaths today with the state total at 14,965.  *The deaths announced today includes 31 deaths identified during a Vital Records review. See cumulative data page for more information. State Cumulative Total of Recovered COVID-19 Cases (as of 2/5/21): 498,495. This information is updated Monday through Saturday at 3 p.m., with COVID-19 results included as of 10 a.m.  Monday reports include Sunday data. 

(February 9, 2021 12:00 PM) The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12:00 PM today, there are 8,907 positive cases (cumulative), and 198 deaths (cumulative)*.     There are 16 new cases since yesterday’s report.  Cumulative recovered, as of February 9:  7,990** The cumulative numbers posted on Mondays include the data from Sunday and Monday.  Recovered numbers are being posted as received. The Michigan Department of Corrections is reporting as of 4 PM February 6, there are 4,495 confirmed positive cases at Jackson facilities and 570 confirmed positive staff cases.  MDOC positive case numbers are cumulative. As of 3 PM February 2,  there are 13 persons at Henry Ford Allegiance Health being treated as inpatients for COVID-19. Note:  Jackson County will post COVID-19 data daily by mid-afternoon, Monday-Saturday, keeping with the schedule established by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The cumulative numbers posted on Monday will include the data from Sunday and Monday.  Recovered numbers are being posted as received.  Epicurve data and Township maps are also posted on Mondays by 3:30 PM. *These numbers do not reflect any cases or deaths identified through Michigan Department of Corrections.  Their…