Health

(February 2, 2021 4:14 PM) In compliance with an order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Jan. 23, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) reminds everyone to mask up when working and riding on public transportation systems, rail, and van, bus and motorcoach service providers to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The CDC Order implements President Joe Biden's Executive Order 13998, Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel, "to save lives and allow all Americans, including the millions of people employed in the transportation industry, to travel and work safely." The CDC order is in addition to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) existing epidemic order that requires all transportation providers' staff and patrons to use face masks, and to enforce social distancing among all patrons to the extent feasible. Science-based measures are critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19. Mask-wearing is one of several proven life-saving measures, including social distancing, frequent hand washing, appropriate ventilation and timely testing, that can reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Requiring masks will protect America's transportation workers and passengers, help control the transmission of COVID-19, and aid in reopening America’s economy. In addition to the CDC order,…

(February 2, 2021 4:04 PM) Michigan reported 1,203 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today, with the state reported total now at 562,510. Michigan is reporting 63* COVID-19-related deaths today with the state total at 14,609.  *The deaths announced today includes 36 deaths identified during a Vital Records review. See cumulative data page for more information. State Cumulative Total of Recovered COVID-19 Cases (as of 1/29/21): 481,801. 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 2, 2021 1:16 PM) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined today with Republican and Democratic legislators to announce the launch of the $30 million Michigan Reconnect program, the largest effort in state history to ensure that more than 4.1 million Michiganders who are 25 or older and do not have a college degree will have an opportunity to earn a tuition-free associate degree or skills certificate.    “All Michiganders deserve a pathway to a good-paying job, whether they choose to pursue a college degree, technical certificate, or an apprenticeship,” Gov. Whitmer said during a virtual news conference. “Michigan Reconnect will connect thousands of Michiganders to good-paying jobs and connect businesses with the talent they need to thrive in their communities. I’m proud of the hard work that has gone into creating this historic new opportunity and look forward to continuing bipartisan work with lawmakers toward our goal of ensuring 60% of Michiganders will have a postsecondary degree by 2030.”  Michigan Reconnect will pay the cost of tuition for eligible adults who want to pursue an associate degree or skills certificate at their in-district community college. The program also offers skills scholarships to help cover the cost of tuition through more than 70 private training schools with 120…

(February 2, 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 8,765 positive cases (cumulative), and 196 deaths (cumulative)*.     There are 28 new cases since yesterday’s report.  Cumulative recovered, as of February 2:  7,562** 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 January 29, there are 4,479 confirmed positive cases at Jackson facilities and 568 confirmed positive staff cases.  MDOC positive case numbers are cumulative. As of January 27, there are 19 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 numbers…

(February 1, 2021 5:38 PM) Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the State of Michigan has administered over one million safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, making Michigan 7th in the country in vaccine distribution.  In announcing the milestone, the governor called on the Michigan Legislature to pass the MI COVID Relief Plan she announced last week. The governor’s plan will appropriate $90 million in federal funding to ramp up vaccine distribution in Michigan and bring the state closer to the goal of 50,000 shots in arms per day.  “Michigan is ramping up vaccine distribution and doing everything we can to reach our goal of 50,000 shots in arms per day. Reaching this milestone is good news for our families, frontline workers, and small business owners, but there is more work to do,” said Governor Whitmer. “My administration is working closely with the federal government to help us get the supply we need to reach our goal and return to the normalcy we all crave. I ask for patience from Michiganders as our frontline workers work around the clock to administer vaccines. I am also ready to work with the Michigan Legislature in a bipartisan way to pass the MI COVID Relief plan focused on vaccine distribution, supporting small businesses, and getting our kids back in school…

(February 1, 2021 3:24 PM) Michigan reported 2,066* coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today, with the state reported total now at 561,307. Michigan is reporting 8 COVID-19-related deaths today with the state total at 14,609.  *Note on cases (02/01/21): Today’s daily case count represents new referrals of confirmed cases to the MDSS since Saturday, January 30th.  Over the two days, Sunday and Monday, the average number of new confirmed cases is 1,033 per day. State Cumulative Total of Recovered COVID-19 Cases (as of 1/29/21): 481,801. 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 1, 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 8,737 positive cases (cumulative), and 196 deaths (cumulative)*.     There are 36 new cases and 1 new death since Saturday’s report.  Cumulative recovered, as of February 1:  7,509** 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 January 29, there are 4,479 confirmed positive cases at Jackson facilities and 568 confirmed positive staff cases.  MDOC positive case numbers are cumulative. As of January 27, there are 19 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…

(February 1, 2021 9:27 AM) The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has completed system updates for the recently extended federal unemployment insurance (UI) programs. All remaining Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) claimants whose claims ended when CARES Act programs were interrupted in December can now either reopen, certify or apply for benefits available under the Continued Assistance Act (CAA). Claimants were notified the UIA with information and instructions regarding the changes. The CAA allows PEUC and PUA claimants an additional 11 weeks of benefits payable for the week ending Jan. 2 through March 13, 2021. Payments also include the additional $300 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) weekly benefit. PUA New PUA claims can now be filed online at michigan.gov/uia. PUA claimants who exhausted their original entitlement of benefits prior to Dec. 26, 2020 can also now reopen their claim to receive an additional 11 weeks of benefits, payable retroactively, beginning with the week ending Jan. 2, 2021. Claimants have or will receive notification by email, through their MiWAM account or by mail alerting them to the availability of the additional weeks. A new provision under the CAA requires PUA claimants to submit proof of employment or…

(February 1, 2021 7:45 AM) The Our Town meal distribution program, a one-of-a-kind collaboration to support local restaurants and provide free meals to community members, begins today. The new Our Town program will distribute thousands of meals to Jackson families in need for 10 weeks, starting February 1. Nearly $500,000 contributed by Consumers Energy and several community partners will pay over 20 locally-owned restaurants to prepare healthy meals. Restaurants also will ensure that over half of the food is locally sourced, creating more economic value for the community. “We are excited this innovative and collaborative effort will assist those in need in our hometown,” said Roger Curtis, Consumers Energy’s vice president for public affairs. “We have been so touched by the generosity of our friends with the City of Jackson and community partners who are stepping up to ensure our local restaurants stay in business and our neighbors do not go hungry.” The Jackson effort is inspired by Everyone Eats, a program in Brattleboro, Vt., that used federal funding to support restaurants and provide thousands of meals. Consumers Energy and Jackson city officials hope the Our Town approach can lead to more donor-driven efforts across Michigan. City of Jackson Mayor Derek…

(January 31, 2021 5:02 PM) The Michigan Department of Corrections is reporting as of 4 PM January 29, there are 23,922 confirmed positive COVID-19 cumulative cases at facilities throughout the state.  Of that statewide total, 4,479 of the confirmed positive cases are at Jackson facilities.    Throughout the state corrections system, there are currently 887 active cases. In Jackson, there are 1,775 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases at Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center,  at 1,216 Cooper Street Correctional Facility, 27 at Duane Waters Health Center, 933 at G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility, and 528 at Parnall Correctional Facility.   All numbers are cumulative. Among staff, there are a total of 3,443 COVID-19 positive cases statewide.  In Jackson, there are 186 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases among employees at Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center, 153 at Cooper Street Correctional Facility, 114 at G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility, 4 at Jackson Regional Warehouse, 3 at Jackson Regional Office, 2 at Jackson Training Center and 106 at Parnall Correctional Facility.  All numbers are cumulative. There have been a total of 132 deaths (statewide) of prisoners who had tested positive for COVID-19, 29 of those deaths were among prisoners at Jackson facilities.    Testing…