The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced that it has closed Tippy Dam Recreation Area in Manistee County after a surge in visitors led to instances of improper social distancing and nonessential travel.
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Michigan is keeping pace with some of the most-infected states in the country, with more than 35 percent of tests coming back with confirmed positive cases of the coronavirus, according to data from the COVID Tracking Project.
As of Monday evening, Michigan has 6,498 confirmed positive cases out of 18,391 total tested — an infection rate of 35.3 percent. By comparison, New Jersey has an infection rate of 39.7 percent with 16,636 confirmed cases and New York has an infection rate of 35.7 percent with 66,497 confirmed cases. New York and New Jersey are the top two most-infected states in the country, followed by Michigan. California is currently the fourth most-infected state with 6,447 confirmed cases and an infection rate of 21.5 percent.
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Michigan pharmacies are now able to dispense emergency refills of prescriptions, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Wednesday.
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has submitted a request to President Trump to ask him for a major disaster declaration, which would allow the state to aid its residents in a variety of ways.
If granted in full, the declaration would allow the state to provide meals for families in need, rental assistance and temporary housing, as well as funding for field hospitals and mental health support.
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The Delaware Department of Health has confirmed that it is reporting both positive and negative test results of coronavirus testing to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, despite not making that information available to the public.
“Yes, we are reporting both positive and negative results to the CDC,” a spokesperson said in an email to The Michigan Star on Wednesday. “We absolutely understand the interest in knowing the number of negative test results received, as well as the number of positives.”
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended the deadline to tally the votes from the Michigan primary by executive order on Wednesday due to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the state.
The canvassing deadline for the March 10 primary was originally March 24, according to a guideline from the state of Michigan. Whitmer’s order has pushed it back to April 24.
“I am grateful to Governor Whitmer for ensuring our democracy will remain robust during this public health crisis,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in a statement. “Providing more time to canvass the recent election will provide certainty for Michiganders that our elections are accurate and worth everyone participating in.”
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School food services will be considered critical infrastructure under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order, according to an announcement from the governor’s office on Monday.
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The Maryland Department of Health told The Tennessee Star earlier this week that it is working to provide “timely testing number data.”
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As Michigan hospitals face potential shortages of medical supplies, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is asking Michigan residents and businesses to donate face masks, personal protective equipment and other essential medical supplies.
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CVS Health plans on hiring 50,000 employees to fill full-time, part-time and temporary positions as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread across the United States, the company announced on Monday.
Available roles include store associates, home delivery drivers, distribution center employees and customer service employees. CVS said many roles will be filled by employees from current CVS Health clients that have had to furlough workers, such as Hilton and Marriott.
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Michigan residents have been ordered to stay inside their homes as part of a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Monday.
The order, effective at 12:01 a.m. on March 24, prohibits people leaving their home unless they are engaged in an outdoor activity, performing necessary tasks like going to a hospital or grocery store, or are part of an industry deemed essential. The lockdown will be in place for three weeks.
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General Motor Co. has announced it will be working with a ventilator manufacturer to increase the production of medical devices needed for treating those with COVID-19.
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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine asked President Trump and Congress on Friday to support the auto industry during the coronavirus pandemic.
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The Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced on Saturday that its branch offices will be returning to its regularly scheduled hours with limited services and scheduled appointment.
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Three states out of the total 50 being tracked by the COVID Tracking Project have been given the letter grade of “D” for data tracking quality.
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Non-essential medical and dental procedure are temporarily suspended during the pandemic, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Friday after signing an executive order.
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Citing the need to have the ability to self-quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has temporarily suspended evictions in Michigan via executive order on Friday.
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Michigan is now reporting its first death from the coronavirus in addition to a rising total of 336 confirmed cases.
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Michigan Department of Attorney General Dana Nessel sent a cease-and-desist letter to Menards after the department received 18 complaints from consumers about price-gouging. Nessel reported that the company was selling face masks, bleach, and other products at high prices.
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The Michigan Department of Education has published a map to make it easier for families who rely on schools for meals to find locations where they are being provided.
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Michigan currently has 53 confirmed cases of the coronavirus after 20 more cases were recently confirmed, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced on Sunday.
The virus, identified by medical professionals as COVID-19, has been confirmed in seven different counties: Washtenaw County, Oakland County, Macomb County, Kent County, Wayne County, Ottawa County and St. Clair County. It has also been confirmed in the city of Detroit.
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued an executive order extending unemployment benefits for Michigan workers impacted by the spread of the coronavirus in the state.
Under the expanded eligibility, unemployment benefits are available to workers who are sick, quarantined or immunocompromised and who do not have access to paid time off; workers who have “unanticipated family care responsibility” such as ill family or additional childcare responsibility due to school closures; and first responders who are ill or quarantined because of the coronavirus. The extended eligibility is in effect until April 14.
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All K-12 school buildings in Michigan are closed starting Monday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Thursday. The closure applies to public, private and boarding schools. Schools are set to reopen on April 6.
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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning Michigan residents to be cautious of businesses that may be engaging of price-gouging and to report them to her office immediately.
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Two Michigan residents have tested positive for the coronavirus, making them the first confirmed cases of the disease in the state. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency for Michigan in an effort to assist local officials in slowing the spread of the virus.
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State officials activated the Michigan Joint Information Center on Tuesday in order to assist state communications about the spread of the coronavirus disease.
There are currently no known cases of the coronavirus in Michigan.
The JIC allows responding public information officers across the state to post and access the latest verified information.
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A Michigan school has voted to get rid of its “Redskins” mascot and nickname, citing division in the community.
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The Michigan Medicaid program will waive copays and cost-sharing for coronavirus testing and treatment, according to an announcement from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday.
“We must take steps to ensure every Michigander has access to the care they need to combat the spread of this disease,” Whitmer said in a statement. “That’s why the State of Michigan is stepping up by waiving fees for testing and treatment associated with coronavirus.”
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A federal court ruled on Tuesday that Michigan’s work requirements for its Medicaid program are unlawful.
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A new bill package introduced to the Michigan House of Representatives could help fix local roads without increasing taxes.
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for the Democratic presidential nominee on Thursday, citing his track record in the healthcare and automotive industries as part of her reasoning.
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Rep Andrea Schroeder (R-43-Waterford) detailed her “Save Our Students” plan in a statement on Wednesday, highlighting the plan’s usefulness for students who are struggling with thoughts of suicide.
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Tuesday the creation of four task forces meant to combat the spread the coronavirus in Michigan and mitigate the impact it could have on Michiganders’ lives.
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation on Monday that would help struggling Michigan homeowners pay their property taxes.
The “Pay As You Stay” bill, sponsored by Rep. Wendell Byrd (D-3-Detroit), eliminates penalties, interest, and fees to allow foreclosing governmental units to significantly reduce delinquent taxes.
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday activated the state emergency operations center as part of Michigan’s plans to prepare for the coronavirus.
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The Michigan House of Representatives passed a resolution on Tuesday to reaffirm the Second Amendment rights of Michigan residents to own and carry firearms.
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other Michigan leaders sent a letter to the Wayne State University Board of Governors threatening them with removal of accreditation if it did not adopt a Code of Conduct at its next meeting. The letter comes on the heels of squabbling within the board over…
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer filed a motion on Tuesday for a partial summary judgement in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia after work requirements for Medicaid in Arkansas, similar to Michigan’s program, were found to be unlawful.
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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order on Friday that created a task force aimed at lowering the cost of prescription drugs.
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The University of Michigan released a statement on Wednesday asking for any former patients of an athletic doctor at the school who believe they were sexually abused to contact the university.
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A bill proposed to the Michigan House of Representatives on Tuesday could help ease the teacher shortage in Michigan.
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The State Land Bank Authority announced on Tuesday that it will be opening a second round of applications for the Michigan Rural Community Demolition Grants. The $50,000 grants allow smaller communities in Michigan to eliminate blight to help improve their area.
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, encouraging Michigan resident to educate themselves, their families and their communities about the dangers of abuse within relationships.
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State Superintendent Michael Rice (pictured above) praised the school funding increases included in the budget proposed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, saying it set the path for a growth within the Michigan school system.
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With American flag cowboy boots, campaign scarves and Republican red clothing items dotting the room, the conference hall in Troy, Michigan, could have been filled with the rally members for any right-wing candidate in the 2020 election race.
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A new report from the Lumina Foundation shows that Michigan’s post-secondary attainment rate has grown from 45 percent to 45.5 percent from 2017 to 2018, an improvement that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says highlights the need for increased educational programs.
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President Trump’s budget proposal includes nearly an eight percent cut to the Department of Education, a choice that has received backlash from Democrats.
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced earlier this week February 24 through 29 will be Opioid Use Disorder Awareness Week.
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Despite deep budget cuts for the Environmental Protection Agency at large, the budget plan for 2021 proposed by President Trump grants full funding to protection programs for the Great Lakes.
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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed two new members to the Lake Superior State University (LSSU) Board of Trustees on Friday.
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