Coronavirus in Michigan: Day 56

Greater Lansing now tracks 30 COVID-19 deaths

Elderly woman marks 14th virus-related death in Ingham County

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TUESDAY, May 5 — A woman in her 90s with underlying health conditions died yesterday at hospital with COVID-19, marking the 30th virus-related death reported in Greater Lansing.

At least 15 cases of COVID-19 were also tracked across Greater Lansing today, including at least 13 more in Ingham County and two more cases reported in Eaton and Clinton counties. The regional death toll stands at 30 with at least 779 confirmed cases in the tri-county area.

Michigan tracked at least another 447 coronavirus statewide cases earlier this afternoon with another 44 virus-related deaths, edging up the case count past 44,000 with nearly 4,200 deaths.

In Greater Lansing…

Lansing is still rallying to raise funds and repair Moores Park Pool, even as the coronavirus delays community fundraising efforts and quashes any hope of the pool reopening this summer.

An occupational therapist at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing has been crafting new hairstyles every day before she comes into work. It’s not about making light of a pandemic; It’s just about finding that silver lining, she said. Patients and coworkers are always curious to see what’s coming up.

The East Lansing City Council approved an amendment last week to amend the city budget and waive business license and entertainment fees in fiscal year 2020. While these license fees have been eliminated, businesses that maintain entertainment licenses must file for renewal.

Additionally, East Lansing’s Downtown Development Authority has allocated $250,000 in discretionary funds to launch a business relief program for DDA businesses suffering financial hardship during the COVID-19 crisis. Brick-and-mortar businesses can apply for a $2,500 grant through Thursday at midnight; Awarded grants are expected to be delivered on May 20.

The East Lansing City Council will also consider additional business and community support options at its next virtual meeting at 7 p.m. on May 12 and again at its May 26 meeting.

The East Lansing Farmers Market will also reopen on June 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Valley Court Park. Staff will expand the market for additional social distancing, make adjustments to customer traffic flow and limit the number of customers at any given time. Additionally, market visitors will be encouraged to wear face coverings while shopping.

Dean Transportation is delivering meals to students across the state up to five days per week depending on the demand in each of the 23 communities served by the company. The Lansing School and Ingham Intermediate School districts are supplying meals through the program.

Across Michigan…

In a recent interview with NBC News, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said that “normal life” cannot resume in Michigan until a COVID-19 vaccine has been manufactured. Today, Pfizer announced that initial manufacturing for the coronavirus vaccine will take place in Kalamazoo.

The company is also scaling up its manufacturing capacity and distribution infrastructure in Andover, Massachusetts, and Chesterfield, Missouri.

Although the Michigan Legislature failed to pass an extension of the state emergency and disaster declarations, Attorney General Dana Nessel has cautioned that Whitmer’s emergency orders remain in full effect and can be enforced by both local, county and state authorities.

She sent a letter of guidance today to local law enforcement officials across the state, noting that Whitmer’s orders on business closures, masks and social distancing can and should be enforced at the local level despite any confusion and frustration generated by Republicans.

About 50 Michigan communities voted today, participating in largely mail-based local elections that might be a blueprint for the presidential election in November, reports The Detroit Free Press. No elections occurred in Ingham, Clinton or Eaton counties today.

The Michigan Capitol Commission is seeking legal advice and could make a decision next week on whether guns should be banned inside the Capitol building, reports The Detroit Free Press. Dozens of armed anti-lockdown protesters went into the hallway outside the House chamber last.

In the numbers...

Ingham County                         

Cases — 521 (+13)   

Recoveries — 178             

Recovery Rate — 34.2%      

Deaths — 14 (+1)  

Fatality Rate — 2.7%            

Zip code 48911 tracks 131-140 cases. Zip code 48910 tracks 61-70 cases. Zip code 48823 tracks 51-60 cases. Zip codes 48854 and 48864 each track 41-50 cases. Zip codes 48842 and 48906 each track 31-40 cases. Zip codes 48912 and 48915 each track 21-30 cases. Zip code 48917 tracks between 11-20 cases. Zip codes 48840, 48895, 48285, 48819, 48827, 48892, 48909, 48933, 49251, 49264 and 49285 each track 1-10 cases. This data is updated daily.        

Eaton County                      

Cases — 138 (+1)

Recoveries — 97             

Recovery Rate — 70.3%           

Deaths — 6                  

Fatality Rate — 4.3%              

Clinton County                          

Cases — 120 (+1)            

Deaths — 10   

Fatality Rate — 8.3%                     

The Mid-Michigan County Health Department does not report recovery statistics.                  

Michigan                         

Cases — 44,397 (+447)

Recoveries — 15,659 (as of 5/1/20)               

Recovery Rate — 35.3%         

Deaths — 4,179 (+44)

Fatality Rate — 9.4%           

State reports show that at least 69% of cases (and 80% of deaths) are reported from Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties, including the city of Detroit. Other hotspots include Kent County with 4.3% of cases, Genesee County with 3.8% of cases, Washtenaw County with 2.5% of cases, Saginaw County with 1.7% of cases, Ingham County with 1.2% of cases and Kalamazoo County with 1.1% of cases statewide. At least 4.3% of cases, or 1,898 cases (and 48 deaths) have also been reported among state prisoners at the Michigan Department of Corrections.

Caucasians account for 34% of cases and 49% of deaths. Despite accounting for a smaller segment of the population, African Americans account for 32% of cases and 41% of deaths.         

U.S.                       

Cases — 1,193,027

Deaths — 70,110

Fatality Rate — 5.9%      

Source: CNN                  

As of this afternoon, Michigan still has reported the seventh most cases in the country, behind New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, Pennsylvania and Illinois. Michigan also ranks third in most virus-related deaths, behind only the states of New York and New Jersey.

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