Here are latest developments in the coronavirus outbreak in Michigan on March 20, 2020:
-- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases nearly tripled in the span of a day, from Wednesday to Thursday, then jumped again on Friday. The official statewide count for Michigan as of Friday afternoon is 549, up from 334 confirmed cases the day before, including 105 cases in Oakland County, 119 cases in Wayne County and 75 in the city of Detroit. Health officials expected a jump as results from commercial, clinical and state labs started coming in. CASE BREAKDOWN BY COUNTY
-- Deaths from coronavirus in Michigan still stand at three: A Southgate man in his 50s who had other underlying health issues, a Macomb County woman in her 50s who had an existing condition, and an 81-year-old patient at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
-- Detroit police have been hit hard, the police chief announced today: In a stunning announcement, Detroit Police Chief James Craig said during a press conference Friday that five Detroit officers and one civilian employee have tested positive for coronavirus. Another 152 police personnel are being quarantined for possible exposure; 130 of those were ordered to quarantine by the department, another 22 were advised to do so by their doctor. DETAILS HERE
"I've not seen anything like this," Craig said, adding, "It's certainly a cause for concern. I can tell you at this point our services will not change."
-- After California became the first state to issue a shelter-in-place order, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she has no plans to follow suit. Speaking live on WWJ Friday morning, the governor said she'll continue making decisions based on facts and science, not fear and "replicating what everyone else is doing without understanding whether or not it's necessary." READ MORE HERE
-- After a mind-boggling wave of news and novel coronavirus updates throughout the day Friday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gave an address at 4:30 p.m. Friday to reassure the public and outline the steps the state had taken in recent days. But she's not calling for martial law. "That is a rumor and that is false and that is dangerous for people to foment fear and put out bad information," she said. DETAILS HERE
-- Officials say two deputies at the Wayne County Jail, one who is positive for COVID-19 and another who is awaiting test results, may have exposed inmates to the virus. GET DETAILS HERE
-- One of the biggest country music events in Michigan has been rescheduled. The 38th annual 99.5 WYCD Hoedown will now take place August 28 at DTE Energy Music Theatre. The show is headlined by Rascal Flatts and main stage performances from Chance Rice and Avenue Beat. All tickets already purchased will be honored at the new date.
-- Griffin Claw Brewery in Birmingham produced hand sanitizer for Detroit police officers, and Coppercraft Distillery produced another 10,000 gallons of hand sanitizer to distribute to first responders as well.
-- All non-essential doctor and dentist procedures should be postponed, per the governor.
--Whitmer also banned evictions for those behind in their rent.
-- Ascension Michigan has established special COVID-19 triage areas near all emergency departments. DETAILS HERE. Affected hospitals include: Ascension Macomb-Oakland, Warren Campus, Ascension Macomb-Oakland in Madison Heights, Ascension St. John Hospital, Ascension River District, Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital, Ascension Providence Novi Hospital and Ascension Providence Southfield Hospital.
-- The University of Michigan told students they're offering a $1,200 refund for the 2019-2020 academic year for those who fled due to coronavirus fears, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's order to avoid large gatherings. MORE
-- Menards is apologizing after receiving a price gouging warning letter from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. The Wisconsin-based big box hardware store says it mistakenly placed too high a price on face masks it sold in its stores. A Menards spokesman says the anxiety and stress of dealing with the outbreak lead to a mistake.
-- Michigan has signed off on $20 million in grants and loans to more than 1,000 small businesses harmed by the coronavirus. About 117,000 businesses were directly hit by Gov. Whitmer's order to close or greatly limit service at bars, movie theaters, fitness centers and restaurants. Some could qualify for grants of up to $10,000. GET DETAILS HERE
-- The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel will close at midnight Friday to non-essential traffic starting. The Ambassador Bridge and Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron will also be closed to non-essential travelers. The Trump administration says the decision will not affect trade between the countries. Local hospitals say the hundreds of nurses who live in the Windsor area but work in Detroit hospitals are expected to be able to cross the border.
-- Kohl's, which has 18 stores in the metro Detroit area, is the latest retailer to close due to the coronavirus. The company says its stores nationwide will remain closed until at least April 1. GET DETAILS HERE
-- The 2020 Detroit Movement Festival, originally scheduled for Memorial Day weekend downtown, has been moved to the weekend of September 11-13. It will still be held in Hart Plaza. GET DETAILS HERE
-- 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!
