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(January 19, 2021 4:06 PM) The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has continued its phased approach of implementing the recently extended federal unemployment benefit programs. Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claimants who had benefit weeks remaining on their claim as of Dec. 26, 2020, can now begin certifying their claims through their MiWAM accounts. Federal unemployment insurance (UI) programs created by the CARES Act were interrupted at the end of the year. Beginning this week (Jan. 17), claimants in the following categories can certify, and if eligible, payment will be issued: Claimants who did not exhaust their original 13 weeks of PEUC will be able to claim the balance of remaining weeks beginning with the week ending Jan. 2, 2021. Payments will include the additional $300 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefit. Claimants who did not exhaust their original 39 weeks of PUA will be able to claim the balance of remaining weeks beginning with the week ending Jan. 2, 2021. Payments will include the additional $300 FPUC. The UIA is still in the process of programming new system changes necessary to begin additional payments under the Continuing Assistance Act (CAA) for PEUC and PUA claimants who have exhausted…

(January 19, 2021 3:48 PM) Michigan reported 1,738 coronavirus (COVID-19) positive test cases today, with the state reported total now at 540,115. Michigan is reporting 41 COVID-19-related deaths today with the state total at 13,865. State Cumulative Total of Recovered COVID-19 Cases (as of 1/15/21): 442,408. 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. 

(January 19, 2021 3:21 PM) Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) released new guidance encouraging colleges and universities to require COVID-19 testing of students who live in the immediate university community, even if the students do not live on campus. “We know there have been outbreaks of COVID-19 on college campuses across the country, and it has an impact on disease spread beyond the campus community,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health, “Colleges have stepped up throughout this pandemic to slow disease spread through testing and quarantine protocols. With the arrival of the new variant in Michigan and risk of virus spread both on- and off-campus, it is best practice to implement robust testing protocols in these settings. Colleges and universities have an important role to play in ending this pandemic.” Numerous studies published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have demonstrated that, while social distancing in college classrooms is important, transmission of COVID-19 around colleges likely occurs primarily outside of the classroom. In Michigan, more than 180 identified cases of COVID-19 were associated with one gathering at one bar in East Lansing. Risks of transmission have increased with the…

(January 19, 2021 3:11 PM) Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the Michigan COVID Recovery Plan to grow Michigan’s economy and help end the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor’s plan includes a strong focus on vaccine distribution, economic recovery, schools, and more. “To help grow and strengthen our economy, we must provide crucial support for our families, small businesses, and frontline workers,” said Governor Whitmer. “The MI COVID Recovery Plan will help small businesses get through the winter, help us put more shots in arms and ramp up vaccine distribution, and get our kids back on track in school. It’s the right thing to do to protect public health and jumpstart our economy, and I’m ready to work with the legislature to get it done.” “The governor’s MI COVID Recovery Plan includes crucial support for our small businesses, our educators, students, and support staff, and our overall public health,” said State Budget Director Dave Massaron. “This is a plan to help our economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and help Michigan compete. To make these investments even more valuable, the immediate action by the legislature to renew Good Jobs for Michigan is vitally important to drive more opportunity for our residents.” “While…

(January 19, 2021 12:13 PM) The City of Jackson is joining other communities across the country in a nationwide effort to remember lives lost in the COVID-19 pandemic. At 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19, the Millennium Clock Tower in Downtown Jackson will toll 188 times to remember the 188 people in Jackson County who have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began. A livestream of the bell tolling will be available on the City’s Facebook page starting at 5:30 p.m. Residents wanting to participate in the memorial are asked to view the livestream on Facebook instead of gathering around the clock tower. The latest numbers from the Jackson County Health Department show there have been 8,356 COVID-19 cases with 188 deaths and 6,785 recoveries. City officials hope the clock tower tribute will serve as an important reminder for residents. “As communities across the country come together for a national moment of unity and remembrance, it’s important for the City to recognize the staggering impact of this ongoing pandemic, honor the lives we’ve lost, and remind the community that further vigilance is needed to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Public Information Officer Aaron Dimick. The livestream video will be…

(January 19, 2021 12:00 PM) The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12 PM today, there are 8,356 positive cases (cumulative), and 188 deaths (cumulative)*.     There are 31 new cases since yesterday’s report.  Cumulative recovered, as of January 19, 2020:  6,785** 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 6 PM January 15, there are 4,369 confirmed positive cases at Jackson facilities and 552 confirmed positive staff cases.  MDOC positive case numbers are cumulative. As of 4 PM January 18, there 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…

(January 19, 2021 10:32 AM) Michigan Works! Southeast reports there are 917 jobs available right now in Jackson county (www.mitalent.org). Check out the list below. Michigan Works! Southeast has modified service delivery to all virtual services for Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston and Washtenaw counties.   Click here to schedule a virtual appointment: https://www.mwse.org/contact-us/ To learn more about MWSE and the COVID-19 virus, please visit here: https://mwse.org/covid-19