Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus outbreak in Michigan on Monday, March 30, 2020:
- There have now been 6,498 cases of the virus confirmed by health officials in Michigan, with a total of 184 deaths attributed to COVID-19 according to the offiial daily count from the state. The new numbers, reported by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Monday afternoon, include 1,012 new cases and 52 more deaths since Sunday. BREAKDOWN BY COUNTY.
- The number of COVID19-related deaths doubled overnight in Oakland County, officials said. Oakland County Executive David Coulter said today that there have been 59 deaths in Oakland County, which is more than the 48 being reported by the state at this time. This brings the real total number of deaths in Michigan higher, to 195. "These are stunning numbers," Coulter said. READ MORE HERE.
-- First-term Michigan State Rep. Isaac Robinson has died, and his mother suspects her son's death could be related to the coronavirus. He was 44. HIS STORY HERE
-- A Western Michigan University student, Bassey Offiong, has died from coronavirus, Kalamazoo health officials announced. The 25-year-old Detroit resident was expected to graduate in chemical engineering just a few weeks from now. He reportedly had no underlying health conditions. DETAILS HERE
-- Two Detroit Public Schools Community District employees from two different schools have died due to complications from COVID-19. Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti made the announcement on Twitter Monday night. He also announced three parents from three different schools also died, calling it "One of the hardest days yet." READ MORE HERE
-- In Detroit, Mayor Mike Duggan says the coronavirus is going to continue to grow in the city for weeks, but testing is increasing and some of the moves being made appear to be working. Duggan said Monday thay 69 police officers and eight firefighters have tested positive for COVID-19. Nearly 600 officers and civilian workers in the police department are in quarantine, and just over 100 firefighters are quarantined.
-- Duggan says "instant test kits" will soon be coming to Detroit. The tests will reveal whether a patient has COVID-19 in as little as 15 minutes, as opposed to several days.
-- Meanwhile, Duggan said crime was down 40% last week when compared to the week before, and that the "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order is helping to limit crime. READ MORE HERE.
-- Ford Motor Co. and GE Healthcare are teaming up to produce 50,000 ventilators in the next 100 days. Officials say 500 UAW members have volunteered to return to work specifically on these ventilators, which will be made at the Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti, starting the week of April 20. GET DETAILS HERE.
-- Lines formed early Monday for drive-through free coronavirus testing at the Michigan State Fairgrounds at 8 Mile and Woodward. "This is quite something going on here at the State Fairgrounds," WWJ's Charlie Langton said, shooting a video that showed lines stretching for blocks by 8 a.m. MORE HERE. The mayor said there were 660 tests administered at the site Monday.
-- Fiat chrysler is the latest automaker to tighten its belt amid the coronavirus pandemic. FCA announced Monday that salaried workers will be taking a 20% deferred pay cut for the next three months, with payments to be repaid no later than March 15, 2021. CEO Mike Manley will take a 50% pay cut and other executives, 30%. GET DETAILS HERE
-- While Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she was glad that President Donald Trump has extended U.S. social distancing guidelines through the end of April — she's not quite ready to do the same for Michigan. She said Monday that an announcement on that is expected to come later this week, along with a plan for Michigan schools. READ MORE HERE.
-- Gov. Whitmer is calling on volunteers, especially those in the medical profession, to step up and help. The state has launched a new volunteer website where medical professionals can register to assist hospitals in fighting COVID-19, and other residents can find out how they can help in their local communities. LEARN MORE HERE.
-- President Donald Trump has authorized Whitmer's request for the Michigan National Guard to help perform humanitarian missions during the crisis. The guard will perform tasks such as helping run mobile screening facilities, distributing food and medical supplies, ensuring resiliency of supply lines, disinfecting public spaces and supporting public safety when required. LEARN MORE HERE
--- For most Americans, there's a check on the way from the federal government. But the best use of this money depends on what's going on with you. Here's how to think it through.
-- On Saturday, President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Michigan, providing additional money to help the state address the COVID-19 pandemic. The declaration announced by the White House on Saturday follows a back-and-forth between Trump and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has criticized the Trump administration for its slow response to the pandemic, saying "we cannot weather this alone." GET DETAILS HERE
-- The North American International Auto Show, scheduled for June 9-20 at the TCF Center in downtown Detroit, has been canceled amid the pandemic. The TCF Center, formerly known as Cobo Center, will be converted into a field hospital to provide roughly 900 beds. The 2020 NAIAS was set to be the first show held outside of the traditional January time frame. Officials say the 2021 show is scheduled to be open to the public June 19-26. GET DETAILS HERE
-- Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel says officials are exploring possible sites for a field hospital in Macomb County. Hackel says the worst of the pandemic is yet to come, and helth officials expect the hospitals to become overrun. Michigan will need an estimated 10,000 extra hospital beds, with roughly 2,000 of those in Macomb County. GET DETAILS HERE
-- Country music singer Joe Diffie has died due to complications of coronavirus. Diffie, 61, announced on Friday he had tested positive for the disease and died on Sunday. Diffie, a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for more than 25 years, and churned out hits like "Pickup Man," "John Deere Greene" and "Prop Me Up Beside The Juke Box (If I Die)." GET DETAILS HERE
-- Whitmer is scheduled to provide an update on the state's response to COVID-19 at 10:15 a.m. Monday. LISTEN HERE. She is also expected to join Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan at the city's drive-thru testing site later Monday afternoon.
-- Detroit Police Chief James Craig is the latest local public figure to test positive for coronavirus, according to Mayor Mike Duggan, The chief is said to be doing OK. MORE HERE
-- Michigan's first full-scale drive-thru testing for COVID-19 began Friday at the former State Fairgrounds, and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says it's going "extremely well." The initial plan was to run 100 tests on day one, then ramp up to 300 on Saturday and 400 after that. The mayor said, however, they now intend to do 400 tests on Saturday.
-- These extraordinary times are creating massive stress, anxiety ... and unlikely collaborations as four metro Detroit hospital systems and a leading research university today announced a collaboration to bring large-scale COVID-19 drug trials to southeast Michigan. DETAILS HERE. Doctors from Henry Ford Health System, Ascension Michigan, Beaumont, Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University are teaming up.
-- The three main symptoms of coronavirus are fever, cough and shortness of breath. In order to mitigate risk of spreading COVID-19, everyone is encouraged to take action to reduce the spread, including: wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer; avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands; cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; avoid handshakes; avoid contact with people who are sick; and stay home when you are sick. Officials are urging social distancing -- staying at least six feet away from other people -- to help flatten the curve.
This is a rapidly evolving situation. Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 where we will remain live, local and committed to bringing you the latest information during this outbreak. >>LISTEN LIVE!
