GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Here is the latest information on the coronavirus in Michigan, including the number of cases state officials report and other updates affecting West Michigan.
On Thursday the number of deaths from COVID-19 reached over 2,000 in the state of Michigan. There are a total of 29,263 cases of the virus. 1,204 cases are new today and 172 deaths were reported new today.
The most cases and deaths are centered in Wayne County, according to the state's numbers.
433 people have recovered from the virus, according to the state. They'll update recovery numbers every Saturday.
Deaths must be reported by health care providers, medical examiners/coroners, and recorded by local health departments in order to be counted.
B-93 Birthday Bash rescheduled for August 29
Organizers of the B-93 Birthday Bash have decided to push back the annual event due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Due to the projected impacts of COVID-19 and for the safety of our guests, employees, artists and partners, WBCT-FM – B.93.7 has rescheduled Birthday Bash 2020," an official release from the event explained Thursday, April 16.
The new date will be Saturday, Aug. 29 for its third year at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Fruitport's Old Fashioned Days canceled for 2020
After considering several alternative solutions, organizers made the call Tuesday night to cancel the 2020 Fruitport Old Fashioned Days festival due to COVID-19.
“This is what gives the Lions Club most of their funds to help people in the community,” Pat Stressman, chairperson of the Fruitport Lions Club’s Old Fashioned Days committee said. “We bring in about $70,000 from the festival. ... A lot of different organizations come to us asking for funds. We’ve been pretty free with our funds, but we’re just not going to be able to do that in the coming year.”
The National Cherry Festival postponed to July 2021
Organizers of the National Cherry Festival are postponing the event to July 3-10 2021.
"There have been few times in our near 100-year history that the National Cherry Festival has not come together to put on a wonderful celebration of cherries, and in those rare instances it was always to support the community and protect the region," stated Kat Paye, National Cherry Festival Executive Director.
The decision did not come lightly. Organizers factored planning time and effort and the economic impacts the festival has on the area, however the health and safety of guests, volunteers, staff, and the community are first priority to the event's organizers.
Mercy Health offering call ahead testing for people with mild COVID-19 symptoms
Mercy Health St. Mary's is expanding testing to West Michigan residents who are earlier in the illness and have fewer symptoms. Those individuals can now call ahead for testing.
"Due to strong community partnerships, testing for COVID-19 has been expanded in West Michigan to include individuals with mild symptoms," said Dr. Andrew Jameson, MD, MD, FACP, AAHIVS Division Chief-Infectious Diseases, Regional Medical Director-Infection Control, Mercy Health Physician Partners.
Jameson also said, "Early diagnosis of COVID-19 decreases transmission of the disease, and this testing site provides quick, convenient access for anyone experiencing symptoms to be tested within a few minutes, getting results within 24 hours."
Community members do not have to be Mercy Health patients to be considered for testing.
Wednesday's cases
On Wednesday the state reported 1,058 new cases of COVID-19 and 153 new deaths. The total number of cases is now 28,059 and the virus has killed 1,921 people.
Wednesday Michigan's death toll became the third highest in the nation.
"Michigan, had the third highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the country," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. "We are not the third biggest state in the country. This is a dramatic terrible virus."
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
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.
MORE COVID-19 COVERAGE:
- Reopening the country could require thousands more public health workers
- How germs spread in the grocery store
- Gloves are meant for healthcare workers not grocery shopping, CDC says
- WMU's AD talks about the possibility of cancelling the college football season
- Facebook will warn users who interact with coronavirus misinformation
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