(WWJ) Just before it was about to expire, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has again extended her emergency and disaster declaration for Michigan due to COVID-19.
Executive Order 2020-165, signed by the governor on Thursday, extends Michigan's State of Emergency until October 1, 2020, at 11:59 p.m.
As Whitmer has extended the emergency multiple times, and the coronavirus remains a concern in Michigan, this latest extension did not comes as a surprise.
The purpose of the order is to allow Whitmer to continue using executive powers granted under Michigan law only in an emergency. The order shouldn't be confused with Whitmer's stay-home order, which was lifted back in June.
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Whitmer's office says this action is necessary so the governor can continue to mobilize resources and take the reasonable and necessary steps to protect Michiganders and their families.
“Last week, Michigan surpassed 100,000 cases and families continue to lose loved ones to COVID-19. With over 6,500 deaths, the virus continues to threaten the lives of Michiganders every day. COVID-19 is a novel virus with many unknowns, but we do know that it is widespread, it is easily transmitted, and its effects can be fatal. We must continue to take this seriously and do everything we can to protect ourselves and all Michiganders from COVID-19,” said Whitmer, in a statement. “By extending the state of emergency, we can continue the crucial work needed to save lives. Since March, I have been committed to using every tool at my disposal to protect families, frontline workers, and our economy from the threat of COVID-19. I urge Michiganders to do their part by wearing a mask, practicing physical distancing and staying safe and smart.”
READ: Executive Order 2020-177
In early August, every region in Michigan saw an uptick in new cases which recently put Michigan past the 100,000 COVID-19 cases mark, according to the state.
The state’s percent positivity remains below the national average: in Michigan, 3.3% of all COVID-19 tests administered were positive, whereas nationally it was 6.1%. Additionally, Michigan has a considerably lower percent positivity than surrounding states.
The governor's office contends that the science continues to show that this virus can affect everyone, including children. In fact, in an alarming trend, both nationwide and here in Michigan, younger people have constituted a growing share of new cases, accordingly to the health department.
"In order to protect public health, everyone must continue to do their part to fight COVID-19 by wearing a mask, staying physically distant and limiting large social gatherings under the governor’s orders," reads a media release announcing the emergency extension. "COVID-19 is widespread, easily transmitted by airborne particles, and potentially fatal. That lethal combination, combined with ongoing uncertainty about how to defeat it, means that the health, economic, and social harms of the COVID-19 pandemic remain severe and affect every corner of this state. The COVID-19 pandemic therefore constitutes a statewide emergency and disaster."
Under other orders signed by Whitmer on Thursday, gyms and indoor pools will be allowed to reopen at 25% capacity next week, and youth sports were given the OK.
Looking at the latest numbers provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, there are now 104,395 COVID-19 cases confirmed in the state, with 685 reported Thursday. A total of 6,519 people in Michigan have died, and 76,151 are considered officially recovered. See more updated stats from the health department, HERE.