GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Here is the latest information on the coronavirus in Michigan, including the number of cases state offices report and other updates affecting West Michigan.
Wednesday's cases
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports 171 new cases of COVID-19. The total number of cases is now 59,278.
The death count increased by 13, making the total 5,711.
Hospitalizations continue to drop. There are 441 COVID-19 patients in Michigan hospitals, 150 on ventilators, and 245 in critical care.
The latest data on recoveries is from Friday, June 5. It shows that 42,041 people have recovered from the virus. The state updates this data every Saturday. A recovery is counted as anyone who is 30 days out from the onset of their symptoms.
Michigan started reporting the number of cases at long term care facilities. That data can be seen here.
The state emphasizes that the report of cumulative data is "provisional and subject to change. As public health investigations of individual cases continue, there will be corrections to the status and details of referred cases that result in changes to this report."
ArtPrize 2020 canceled
ArtPrize is joining the expanding list of festivals canceling due to COVID-19.
The board of directors made the announcement Wednesday that the exhibition, set to take place between Sept. 16 and Oct. 4 in downtown Grand Rapids, would need to be canceled due to uncertainties surrounding the pandemic.
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce handing out PPE kits to local businesses
DTE Energy Foundation and the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce have partnered to distribute hundreds of PPE kits to small businesses in the region.
The kits include masks, gloves and hand sanitizer that will help keep workers and the community safe. The Chamber has scheduled contact-free, curbside pickups for specific businesses starting at noon on Wednesday in the parking area on the south side of Van Andel Arena. The distribution will run through 5 p.m.
Mercy Health's Clinica Santa Maria providing free COVID-19 testing
Mercy Health Saint Mary's is offering free COVID-19 testing for 1,000 residents of Grand Rapids' Roosevelt Park Neighborhood, thanks to funding made available through the CARES Act Award.
A drive-through site is located at Clinica Santa Maria, 730 Grandville Avenue SW, and is open to the public, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The testing site is overseen by a physician, with medical assistants administering the tests and providing patient follow up.
Patients may call their doctor to be screened for COVID-19 testing. Non-Mercy Health patients may call ahead at 616-685-8439 or drop in for same-day testing via drive-through or walk-up.
Free COVID-19 testing in Muskegon County
The Michigan National Guard will team up with Public Health – Muskegon County to offer residents free COVID-19 testing this weekend.
The walk-up and drive-through testing services will be available on Friday, June 12, from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Oakridge Middle School, 251 S. Wolf Lake Rd, Muskegon.
The tests will be administered by the state agencies and are free to county residents. No appointment is needed.
BCBSM extends no-cost COVID-19 treatment through the end of the year
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network will provide their members no-cost treatment for COVID-19 disease through Dec. 31, 2020. Members have not had to pay cost sharing for treatment – in the form of copays, deductibles and coinsurance – since March and now will have the security of no-cost treatment through the end of the year.
The cost share waivers apply to members in fully insured commercial PPO and HMO plans, as well as individuals in fully insured Medicare Advantage plans. BCBSM will work with employer group customers that are self-insured to make decisions regarding their own benefits
Tuesday's cases
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 108 new cases of COVID-19, the lowest daily case count since mid-March. The total number of cases is now 59,107. The death count increased by 25, making the total 5,698.
State recommendations for COVID-19
Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to:
- If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, call your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, call the nearest hospital.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others when in a public setting.
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