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.
Tuesday's cases
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 435 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, bringing the total to 52,350.
The daily death count reached 102--the first time in 10 days the count exceeded 100. But it includes 43 deaths from a regular review of death certificate data. The death toll has reached 5,017.
The Michigan Department of Corrections, which is conducting mass testing, has recorded 3,122 cases and 60 deaths. The Federal Corrections Institute reported 118 cases and three deaths.
Hospitalizations increased slightly from Monday's numbers, but overall the 1,079 COVID-19 patients in the hospital follows a downward trend. There are 351 patients on ventilators and 486 in critical care.
The latest data on testing is from Sunday, May 17, and it shows a decrease in testing with about 13,500 tests performed with a 9% positivity rate. Whitmer said the state aims to be testing 30,000 people a day by mid-June.
Michigan started reporting the number of cases at long term care facilities. That data can be seen here.
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 latest data on recoveries is from Friday, May 15. It shows that 28,234 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.
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."
US and Canada extend border shutdown to June 21
Canada and the US have agreed to extend their agreement to keep border closed to non essential travel to June 21 during the coronavirus pandemic.
A senior government official confirmed the extension of the agreement, which had been set to expire this week. The official spoke on condition of anonymity for lack of authorization to speak publicly ahead of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's announcement.
Whitmer extends order allowing pharmacists to refill prescriptions early, relaxing pharmacy limitations
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-93 Tuesday morning, extending her previous order which gives pharmacists increased operational capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The order, titled “Temporary enhancements to operational capacity, flexibility, and efficiency of pharmacies,” allows pharmacists to continue dispensing emergency refills of prescriptions for up to 60 days’ worth of supplies, and requires insurers to cover early refills for up to 90 days’ worth of supply.
Secretary of State: All registered voters will receive applications by mail
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced Tuesday that all registered voters in Michigan will receive an application to vote by mail in the August and November elections.
“By mailing applications, we have ensured that no Michigander has to choose between their health and their right to vote,” Benson said in a press release. “Voting by mail is easy, convenient, safe, and secure, and every voter in Michigan has the right to do it.”
Residents at Grand Haven assisted living home contract COVID-19
Christian Haven Home assisted living in Grand Haven announced Monday that “several residents” have tested positive for COVID-19. An administrator at the home said many test results are still pending, making it difficult to speculate how many residents have tested positive.
Christian Haven Home is still in the process of testing and said it was being "very transparent" with resident's families.
One employee had tested positive for COVID-19 in late April; another was tested earlier Sunday and is awaiting results. The employee who had tested positive in April notified staff immediately when feeling symptoms. The employee was not working when symptomatic and has not yet returned to work.
GRPS hosting virtual graduation ceremonies
Grand Rapids Public Schools has decided to host virtual graduation ceremonies amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremonies will take place June 3, 4 and 5. streamed on the GRPS Youtube Channel and the district and high school Facebook pages.
GRPS plans to celebrate the class of 2020 in person at a later date.
Cottonelle donates thousands of toilet paper rolls to West Michigan nonprofits
Toilet paper was one of the first things that flew off the shelves when the coronavirus pandemic began. Now, a West Michigan nonprofit is getting a donation of thousands of rolls.
Heart of West Michigan United Way and Cottonelle teamed up to help support Michiganders. The company is donating 69,000 rolls of toilet paper Tuesday, May 19 to a number of different local food pantries, nonprofits and United Way chapters.
Monday's cases
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 773 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the total to 51,915. This uptick is due to enhanced testing within the Michigan Department of Corrections, which accounts for 513 of the day's cases.
There were 24 deaths recorded, bringing the total to 4,915.
The Michigan Department of Corrections reports 3,051 cases and 57 deaths. The state is working to test every prison in the Upper Peninsula, and it is working to expand testing at facilities across the Lower Peninsula. To date, they've tested 31,731 inmates.
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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