Here are latest developments in the coronavirus outbreak in Michigan on March 21, 2020:
-- -- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases increased by more than 200 in the span of a day. The official statewide total stands at 787 confirmed cases as of Saturday afternoon, up from 549 cases the day before. The next update is at 2 p.m. Sunday. BREAKDOWN BY COUNTY
-- The death toll from COVID-19 has risen to six, with two new deaths reported on Saturday. Both victims are elderly Detroit-area women. GET DETAILS HERE
-- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Saturday that temporarily closes all non-essential personal care service facilities -- which includes hair, nail, tanning, massage, spa, tattoo, body art and piercing services, and similar services that require individuals to be within 6-feet of each other. GET DETAILS HERE
-- All playgrounds and shopping malls in Oakland County are now closed through April 17. The county is also requiring all childcare centers to develop and implement a daily screening protocol for children, staff, parents and visitors to reduce the transmission of the coronavirus. GET DETAILS HERE
-- Price-gouging is apparently rampant across the state. Attorney General Dana Nessel says her Consumer Protection intake team received 1,053 price-gouging complaints related to COVID-19 by 5 p.m. Thursday. That's up from 75 as of March 13. GET DETAILS HERE
-- Michigan Secretary of State offices will be returning to regular weekday hours on Monday, but in-person transactions will continue to be available only for critical services and by appointment. GET DETAILS HERE
-- Coronavirus is causing a delay in opening of Cedar Point this year. Opening Day at the park, which was originally scheduled for May 9, has now been pushed back to "mid-May or as soon thereafter as possible." GET DETAILS HERE
-- Gov. Whitmer and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine have sent a joint letter to President Donald Trump and Congress, calling on them to protect the auto industry as the global pandemic from coronavirus continues. They say coronavirus threatens the industry and jeopardizes the livelihoods of thousands of families.
-- General Motors breathing new life into efforts to combat the spread of coronavirus. The automaker is earmarking some of its factories to support medical device maker Ventec, which wants to step up production of ventilators. The effort will help stock hospitals with the breathing machines, which have been in short supply. GET DETAILS HERE
-- Meijer is trying to fill staff positions at stores across Michigan, and they're speeding up the hiring process. Meijer plans to hire up to 50 seasonal workers per store to help meet consumer demand, which has included a spike in stocking up on staple goods during the coronavirus pandemic. Other major companies with similar hiring pushes include Walmart and Amazon.
-- The American Red Cross is in urgent need of blood donations as it deals with a severe blood shortage due to canceled community blood drives. The blood bank says healthy individuals are urgently needed to donate now to help patients. GET DETAILS HERE
-- 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.
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!
