Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus outbreak in Michigan on Sunday, March 29, 2020:
-- Health officials announced another large increase in the total number of coronavirus cases in Michigan Sunday. With 836 new cases, the statewide total rose to 5,486, while 21 new deaths in Michigan brought the state's death toll to 132. See a full breakdown of the numbers HERE.
-- 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 c chief is said to be doing OK. MORE HERE.
-- The question is top of mind for parents scrambling to keep kids busy and teachers wondering what's going to happen next: Will Michigan's schools reopen? Speaking live on WWJ 950 Friday morning, Gov. Whitmer indicated the answer is ..."Very unlikely." 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!
