Governor Whitmer provides update to COVID-19 response

 

LANSING, Mich.— Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer held a press conference Monday to discuss the state's response to COVID-19.

Health officials announced that, as of Monday, Michigan has 38,210 COVID-19 cases and 3,407 deaths.

An overall plateau of cases is present in Michigan, officials said.

At least 8,342 people have recovered from the disease, health officials said. Recovery is measured by the patient being alive 30 days after the onset of symptoms. 

A mental health resource is now available on the state’s website at michigan.gov/staywell. 

Some form of face covering is now required in enclosed public places in the state for anyone who is medically able to wear one, under a new Executive Order signed by Whitmer. It went into effect on April 26 at 11:59 p.m.

Businesses can again apply to the Paycheck Protection Program, Whitmer said.

Under newly signed Executive Order 2020-63, personal protection orders that would have expired during the COVID-19 pandemic have been extended, Whitmer said.

Whitmer also introduced the MI Safe Start program, which is a plan to re-engage various sectors of the economy. 

Businesses that pose the lowest risk to health will reopen first, Whitmer said, citing commercial and residential construction as an example of a sector that would likely be one of the first to return to work.