(WXYZ) — The coronavirus outbreak has hit Michigan and we are providing resources to best help Michiganders navigate these uncertain times.
7 Action News and WXYZ.com are covering the outbreak with the latest information from state and county health officials. We have full coverage at wxyz.com/coronavirus.
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Stay-at-home executive order
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a "Stay home, stay safe" executive order on Monday morning and it is now in effect through at least May 1.
We answered some of the most frequently asked questions about the order.
Drive-thru testing
Several hospitals are beginning curbside 'drive-thru' screenings for COVID-19.
According to Beaumont Health, there is limited curbside screening at four hospitals: Royal Oak, Dearborn, Farmington Hills and Troy. They are also planning on adding four additional screening sites this week.
University of Michigan Medicine will also offer limited curbside COVID-19 screening to patients who have an appointment. They are screening at the West Ann Arbor Health Center, Canton Health Center and Brighton Health Center.
Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital in Jackson is also offering drive-through testing.
The city of Detroit will begin drive thru testing on March 27 at the Joe Dumars Field House at the Michigan State Fairgrounds.
Hospital hotlines for coronavirus
Hospitals across the area have set up special hotlines for the coronavirus questions. Details on each below.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - 888-535-6136
Ascension - 833-978-0649
Beaumont Health - 800-592-4784
Detroit Medical Center - 1-888-DMC-3370
Henry Ford Health System - 313-874-7500
Resources for workers on the frontlines
Both local and national companies are offering promotions to those working during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Starbucks is offering free brewed coffee to first responders and medical staff.
Quality Express Lube, an auto shop in Farmington Hills, is offering medical workers a free oil change.
Unemployment benefits temporarily expanded
Whitmer signed an executive order temporarily expanding unemployment benefits eligibility on March 16.
The order is effect now and will remain in effect until April 14 at 11:59 p.m.
Under the order, unemployment benefits would be extended to
- Workers who have an unanticipated family care responsibility, including those who have childcare responsibilities due to school closures, or those who are forced to care for loved ones who become ill.
- Workers who are sick, quarantined, or immunocompromised and who do not have access to paid family and medical leave or are laid off.
- First responders in the public health community who become ill or are quarantined due to exposure to COVID-19.
The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency is giving tips to people who are looking to apply for unemployment.
Several companies are also hiring amid the outbreak.
What you can do to help mitigate the spread
Both state and federal officials are reminding people that there are several preventative measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and any other illness.
Those include:
– Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
– Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing
– Avoiding contact with people who are sick
– Staying home if you are sick and contact your healthcare provider
– Practice social distancing
Social distancing includes less handshaking, less hugs and going out less.
“Six-feet away from other people when you are accumulating, gathering in public spaces," Faust said. "And 6 feet certainly away from anybody who is sick.”
Avoid handshaking, and now experts say avoid crowds, like sporting events and watch it on TV. Work from home if you can. Do someone shopping online instead going to stores.
Here are the best ways to disinfect your car during the coronavirus pandemic. Disinfecting your ride goes far beyond the steering wheel.
Making face masks
Henry Ford Health System staff devised a creative solution to the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) currently affecting hospitals across the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
You can be resourceful and make a homemade mask with items you may already have around the house.
Jo-Ann Fabrics is also giving away free materials to make face masks.
Bars, restaurants and gyms closing
Gov. Whitmer announced Monday, March 16 that bars and restaurants will also be shutting down dine-in service starting at 3 p.m. on Monday, March 16. It follows a similar order issued in several other states and cities dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak.
Those bars and restaurants will still be able to do take-out and delivery service. They can allow five people inside at a time to pick up orders, as long as they stand six feet apart from each other.
Other places that will close include gyms, fitness centers, spas, movie theatres and more.
Some restaurants have started GoFundMes in order to help employees during these closures.
What's been canceled so far
We're continuing to update a list of the events in Michigan that have been canceled, and that includes several concerts, all sporting events, museum closures and more throughout metro Detroit.
View that list here.
The NBA, NHL, MLS, English Premier League, Formula 1, IndyCar, NASCAR and PGA Tour have all postponed their seasons, while March Madness has been canceled and The Masters has been postponed. The MLB also delayed the start of their season by two weeks and canceled spring training.
Schools closed
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on March 12 that all Michigan schools would close until April 6 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The closure affects all K-12 buildings statewide and begins Monday, March 16.
Colleges and universities across the state have also suspended in-person classes and are switching to online-only classes.
The Michigan Department of Education has received a federal waiver that will allow children to eat meals at schools during unanticipated school closures.
These metro Detroit school districts are providing free meals to students.
Hospital safety measures
Hospitals across metro Detroit have instituted visitor restrictions as they begin treating patients with COVID-19.
Beaumont hospital has new coronavirus safety measuresand a hotline that is staffed by nurses throughout the day. At Michigan Medicine, visitors with flu-like symptoms or cold symptoms will not be allowed to visit.
Whitmer also put new restrictions on care facilities, juvenile justice facilities, and public meetings.
Henry Ford has also implemented visitor restrictions.
Global map
The World Health Organization on March 11 officially declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.
John's Hopkins University & Medicine has a global outbreak map that is updated throughout the day. You can view that here
