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.
Monday's cases
The state reported 414 new cases 33 new deaths on Monday, May 11. The total number of cases is 47,552 and 4,584 have died, according to the data from Michigan's Dept. of Health and Human Services.
The Michigan Dept. of Corrections is reporting 2,139 cases and 54 deaths, the Federal Corrections Institute is reporting 114 cases and three deaths.
The latest data on recoveries is from Friday, May 8. It shows that 22,686 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 number of hospitalizations continues to drop. There are 1,424 patients within hospitals with 557 on ventilators and 685 in critical care.
Michigan's case fatality rate is 10%, but health officials say this will likely decline as testing of people with mild symptoms becomes more widely available.
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."
State plans for increased testing capacity over next 30 days with help from the feds
The governor said Monday that in the last two weeks Michigan has gone from about 4,000 to 14,000 tests per day. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said during an afternoon press conference that the goal is to test 450,000 residents during the month of May. She said the rapid expansion on testing is due to partnerships with businesses and nonprofits.
The state's chief operating officer Tricia Foster said the state is focusing on mass testing specifically at long term care facilities and prisons. Foster said with the federal government's assistance the state will be able to administer 30,000 tests per day over the next 30 days. The first shipment of over 80,000 swabs arrived on Monday, which Foster said will provide enough to meet this goal for one week.
Whitmer also said Michigan has also tested more prisoners than any other state, as of Sunday the Department of Corrections had tested 12,208 people. Last week, the National Guard assisted in testing all six prisons in the Upper Peninsula.
Whitmer urges Pence to 'discourage' protests, cites concerns about rural communities
On a call with governors Monday afternoon, ABC news said Whitmer told Vice President Mike Pence she was concerned that COVID-19 was spreading to rural parts of the state because of those who traveled to protest.
The governor said she is not only worried about the safety of those protesting, but also the health and safety of the communities to which the protesters are returning.
Gov. Whitmer suspends youth work permit app requirements, extends two other orders
An executive order signed Monday lifts certain requirements for young Michiganders seeking a work permit. With schools closed through the rest of the school year, the governor said it will be difficult for young people to obtain proper documentation from school personnel as it applies to summer jobs.
“Michigan’s young people are an essential part of the state’s workforce, and making sure they have an opportunity to acquire the proper permit and help fight COVID-19 is vital,” said Gov. Whitmer. “This executive order will lift some requirements to ensure those opportunities for them.”
The order extends through June 8.
The governor also extended two other orders on May 11. One of those orders allows for administrative hearings to occur by phone, video conference and the other order temporarily lifts weight restrictions for vehicles carrying essential supplies related to COVID-19. The orders are extended through June 8 and May 25, respectively.
Michigan Strong set to flyover Grand Rapids, Battle Creek on Tuesday
West Michigan residents can catch a glimpse of the Michigan Air National Guard on Tuesday as it salutes workers on the front-lines of the coronavirus pandemic.
A southeast Michigan based unit is conducting flyovers all over the state as part of its Michigan Strong campaign to show appreciation for workers battling COVID-19. The dates and times are subject to change due to weather and operational requirements, but flyovers are planned for both May 12 and 13.
CMU announces plans for in person return this fall
Central Michigan University (CMU) President Bob Davies announced plans on Monday to reopen campus for the fall 2020 semester.
While the long-term impacts of COVID-19 remain unknown, Davies hopes to welcome students back to campus for face-to-face learning.
Three cases of Kawasaki disease in West Michigan
West Michigan is reporting it's first suspected cases of Kawasaki disease.
Kawasaki diseases is an illness that causes inflammation, swelling and redness in blood vessels throughout the body and it typically is found in children younger than 5-years-old. It's not known yet whether or not the cases are related to COVID-19 until further testing.
Guns can be prohibited at State Capitol, Nessel says in formal opinion
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a formal opinion Monday, concluding the Michigan State Capitol Commission has legal authority to prohibit firearms inside the Capitol building.
Relying on past court decisions and current state laws, Nessel determined the Commission can regulate firearms within the areas under its control, including the inside of the Capitol building.
“I firmly believe in the right to protest, the right to demonstrate, and the right to loudly and strongly object to those causes that move us,” Nessel said. “These rights are so fundamental to our democracy that they are enshrined in the First Amendment of our Constitution. But it is also important to remember that the right to protest does not encompass the right to violence, or the right to harm those individuals with whom you disagree.”
American Hockey League cancels remainder of 2019-20 season, Calder Cup Playoffs
The American Hockey League (AHL) announced on Monday that the league’s Board of Governors has voted to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 AHL regular season and the 2020 Calder Cup Playoffs due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis.
According to a press release, Grand Rapids Griffins season ticket members and FLEX ticket buyers will receive an email from the team this week regarding refund, redemption and credit rollover options for the 2020-21 season.
The AHL’s standings – sorted by points percentage – and statistics as of March 12, 2020, are considered final and official. As of that date, the Griffins were in position to extend their franchise record with an eighth consecutive berth in the Calder Cup Playoffs. They finish the 2019-20 campaign in third place in the Central Division with a 29-27-3-4 record (0.516).
Michigan manufacturers set to resume operations
Governor Gretchen Whitmer is allowing production to resume at plants across the state.
Reviving the manufacturing sector is a critical step in re-opening Michigan's economy, since it accounts for roughly 19% of the state's economy. Most plants have been completely, or partially, shut down since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sunday's cases
In a Sunday update, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 382 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 47,138.
MDHHS also reported 25 deaths, bringing the death toll to 4,551.
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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