News

UGQ Outdoors, LLC co-owner Missy McWalters models one of the new isolation gowns the company is manufacturing for Henry Ford Allegiance Health. (April 18, 2020 11:24 AM) UGQ Outdoors, LLC, a Jackson textile manufacturing firm, designed, produced and delivered 700 isolation gowns to Henry Ford Allegiance Health this week.  UGQ Outdoors typically manufactures quilts, tarps, hammocks, and outerwear for outdoors people, but over the past week retooled production to produce PPE products for Henry Ford Allegiance Health. Hospitals around the country and Henry Ford Allegiance Health have been using isolation gowns at rates that are much higher than normal as they combat COVID-19 in an increasing number of patients.  The hospital has been contacting local supply chain leaders in efforts to secure an adequate supply of personal protection equipment. “We are working around the clock to secure shipments of masks, face shields, isolation gowns, and other PPE to make sure our clinicians and supporting team members are equipped with the tools they need to do their jobs safely,” said Carlos Junca, Director of Supply Chain at Henry Ford Allegiance Health. “We are leaving no stone unturned, partnering with all our domestic and international suppliers to ensure adequate quantities of PPE…

(April 18, 2020 8:56 AM) Time-sensitive surgeries and procedures for non-COVID patients will resume at Henry Ford Allegiance Health and four other Henry Ford Health System hospital locations, system leaders announced. “We have seen some decreases in COVID patients, which places us more in a plateau stage in this pandemic,” said Betty Chu, M.D., associate chief clinical officer and chief quality officer, during a system update on Thursday. “This is a great reason for hope, and we hope that we’re continuing to flatten the curve.” As a result, the System is opening a “Portal of Opportunity” to resume surgeries and procedures that were halted March 16 with the onset of the pandemic. Since then, Henry Ford medical staff continued performing treatments and surgeries only for life-threatening, emergent conditions, as well as urgent transplants. The portal is opening for non-emergent yet time-sensitive procedures, like cancer surgeries and biopsies, elective serious cardiac procedures and serious spine cases. “We understand that cancer and transplants and heart disease and so many other afflictions don’t get put on hold during this COVID-related challenge,” said Steven Kalkanis, M.D., CEO of the Henry Ford Medical Group and senior vice president and chief academic officer. “As of right now, we…

(April 17, 2020 6:31 PM) Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-54 and 2020-53 to extend her previous orders to suspend evictions and enhance restrictions on price gouging.  Executive Order 2020-54 continues to allow tenants and mobile home owners to remain in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic even if they are unable to stay current on their rent.   To ensure front line workers and Michiganders have access to all necessary products during the COVID-19 pandemic, Executive Order 2020-53 extends the restrictions on excessive pricing of goods, materials, emergency supplies, and consumer food items.   “Right now the most effective tool we have to fight this virus is to stay home and slow the spread through person to person contact. That is why it is important to extend my executive order to suspend evictions so people can focus on staying home and staying safe,” said Governor Whitmer. “And by continuing to enforce restrictions on price gouging, we can protect consumers and ensure more Michigan families can protect themselves from the spread of COVID-19.”  Executive Order 2020-54 prohibits entering premises for the purpose of evicting a resident, and prohibits landlord from demanding possession of premises for nonpayment. It also authorizes the Michigan Supreme Court to stay eviction-related proceedings until after the COVID-19 emergency has passed.  Just like under the previous order, Executive Order 2020-53 prohibits a person from selling any product at a…

(April 17, 2020 6:07 PM) The Jackson Symphony Orchestra is launching “Random Acts of Music”, a weekly mini concert series on the JSO’s Facebook page that brings the joy and power of classical performance right to your home.  The JSO has handpicked a variety of incredible musicians to feature in the series – strings, brass, winds and more. The first two episodes, premiere Friday, April 17, at 7 p.m. on the JSO’s Facebook page. From Executive Director and Music Director Matthew Aubin: The vision of the JSO is to enrich our communities by providing superior performance, listening and learning experiences in a variety of settings. That goal has not changed because of COVID-19, but it has presented us with the challenge of finding new ways to share our music with you. We will be launching our Random Acts of Music through Facebook and Instagram with videos from some of our musicians. The first episode will feature our Personnel Manager and Associate Concertmaster, David Lamse, and second will be our principal trombonist, Denis Jiron. We invite you to tune in on Friday, April 17, 2020 at 7 pm on Facebook. Link here.

(April 17, 2020 4:55 PM) Bar and restaurant owners now have an additional week to request a spirits buy back from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC). Commissioners today approved an extension of the application deadline to Friday, April 24, 2020 at 5:00pm. Gov. Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-46 earlier this week authorizing the MLCC to offer a spirits cash buy back to liquor licensees whose businesses have been affected by Executive Orders related to the continuing COVID-19 health crisis. “We’re extending the deadline so that more of our licensees, many of whom are small business owners, can take advantage of this unprecedented program,” said MLCC Chair Pat Gagliardi. “They are the backbone of Michigan’s hospitality and beverage alcohol industries and are vital to Michigan’s economic vitality. These zero-interest measures are being taken to help sustain the financial viability of these business owners who are being severely impacted by this health crisis.” This week, the MLCC has directly notified the 6,000+ on-premises licensees of their eligibility, explained how the program works, and issued instructions on how to apply.  Licensees can apply using an online fillable form and inventory form found at www.michigan.gov/lcc or they may submit the application and inventory form…

(April 17, 2020 4:46 PM) Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer provided an update to the state’s response to COVID-19.  To view a video of the press conference click here. The following slides are from the Governor’s PowerPoint presentation:

Updated to include today's HFAH report (UPDATED April 17, 2020 4:35 PM) The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12 PM today, there are 224 positive cases (cumulative), and 9 deaths (cumulative)*. The Michigan Department of Corrections is reporting as of 10:30 PM Thursday, April 16, there are 229 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases at Jackson prison facilities. UPDATED:  Henry Ford Allegiance Health reports as of 12 p.m. on Friday, April 17, there are 54 individuals with positive COVID-19 results who are inpatients at Henry Ford Allegiance Health. An additional five persons under investigation are hospitalized at HFAH. To date, a total of 42 positive COVID-19 HFAH inpatients have been treated and discharged. *These numbers do not reflect any cases or deaths identified through Michigan Department of Corrections.  Their numbers are listed under a separate category “Others” for the Michigan Statistics. The Age group will only be reported as a percentage of the total instead of the actual number.  Gender Number Percent Male 105 47% Female 115 53% Age - Years Percent 0 -19 2% 20 - 29 13% 30 - 39 10% 40 - 49 22% 50 - 59 20% 60 - 69 21%…