LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided another update on the state's response to COVID-19 on Wednesday afternoon.
Whitmer was joined by MDHHS Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun and Dr. Marisa Eisenberg from the University of Michigan Department of Epidemiology.
As of Wednesday, there were 2,813 deaths from COVID-19 in Michigan and 33,966 cases.
Updates from the press conference below.
3:42 p.m.
Dr. Khaldun said they are hoping by next week to have accurate data on the most vulnerable, including nursing homes with coronavirus cases, in the state.
She said public health data systems are outdated in Michigan and in the country, adding they want to do things bu the systems won't allow them to do it.
3:40 p.m.
Dr. Khaldun said that the state needs about 15,000 tests in the state to get a good understanding of who has the disease but they are testing more and more, and expanding criteria.
3:37 p.m.
Gov. Whitmer has been in talks with the bipartisan congressional delegation to make sure the next supplemental may help state budgets strained by the coronavirus.
"We're going to have to make some tough decisions. Obviously these layoffs don't fix the problem," Whitmer said, but wanted to reiterate they are serious about keeping the budget.
3:33 p.m.
Gov. Whitmer said she has had discussions with the leaders of the Big 3 and the head of the UAW today to talk about when the automakers may get back to 25% capacity.
She is monitoring what their protocols are.
3:28 p.m.
Whitmer was asked about what a stay-home order extension looked like. She said there will need to be an extensionof some sort.
She said they expect to give more details on Friday, but now is the appropriate time to reassess the breadth of the stay-at-home order and assess what the next one will look like.
Whitmer did say that for those who are compromised and vulnerable, they will have to stay home to stay safe.
"We will start to loosen that up as days get closer, as time goes, and as our testing ramps up," she said.
3:24 p.m.
Dr. Eisenberg said that there are several indicators that should be monitored as they think about re-engagement. It's a three-tier system, which you can see in the photo below.
3:20 p.m.
Dr. Marisa Eisenberg from the University of Michigan Department of Epidemiology took the podium. She showed a grapic about what may happen if social distancing is completely lifted on May 1 for a 2-week period.
She said a resurgence or a second peak is a real possibility.
She also added that in situations like this, social distancing would then likely go back into effect.
3:18 p.m.
Dr. Khaldun said that life is not going to completely go back to how it was before for a while, and that we have to stay put and stay cautious.
3:17 p.m.
Dr. Khaldun said that people who are showing any problems or having a medical emergency to not delay treatment.
She said there have been reports of people not going for treatment with chest pain and others.
Khaldun urged people who are experiencing some medical problems to seek treatment right away.
3:16 p.m.
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun steps up to the podium and updates the cases, saying fewer people are in ICU than before, but different parts of the state may see a rise in COVID-19 cases at different times.
3:11 p.m.
Whitmer said the state will likely need a short-term extension of the stay-home order, but they will have a plan.
She said a second wave would be devastating.
She did say that data has shown it is time to reevaluate the stay-home order.
3:10 p.m.
Whitmer said that there will be another update Friday, and hoping to say more about when we can ease social distancing.
3:08 p.m.
Whitmer said the number of patients in hospital with suspected or confirmed has declined form a high-point about 10 days ago.
15% reduction in the last 10 days. Michigan is no longer in the top 5 states when it comes to positive cases, but still in the top 5 in terms of deaths.
3:06 p.m.
Whitmer said that the state has enough PPE for hospitals for over a week thanks to the help of businesses and the government.
A couple of weeks ago, they had less than a day's worth of PPE.
3:04 p.m.
Gov. Whitmer said people can go to Michigan.gov/coronavirusest to find a testing site near you.
3:03 p.m.
Whitmer said they are testing more people every day, and that testing sites are now open throughout Michigan.
3:02 p.m.
Whitmer said a vast majority of people are doing their part and social distancing is working, and a map shows that people are taking it seriously.
3:00 p.m.
Whitmer takes the stage and thanks those who tuned into press conferences over.
She gave an update on numbers, saying we have lost 2,813 Michiganders and have 33,66 positive cases.
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