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Local News

Blue Water Area COVID-19 Update August 28, 2020

St. Clair County, MI — Lambton County, Ontario

Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of August 28, 2020 at  9:00 AM are as follows:

  • State of Michigan: 99,958 confirmed cases; 6,440 deaths
  • St. Clair County: 782 confirmed cases; 52 deaths
  • Ontario: 41,813 confirmed cases;  2,803 deaths
  • Sarnia-Lambton: 338 confirmed cases; 25 deaths

St. Clair County currently has 70 active cases of the virus, and 1% of hospital beds in the county are being used for COVID-19 patients.

Governor Whitmer signed an Executive Order 2020-172 yesterday clarifying the principal symptoms of COVID-19 that should cause an employee to stay home from work. The order also mandates that employers treat employees who stay home when they are sick as if they were taking medical leave.

Under order 2020-172, any and all Michiganders who test positive for COVID-19 or who display one or more of the principal symptoms should stay home. A worker should also stay home if they have any one of the following not explained by a known medical or physical condition: a fever, an uncontrolled cough, and shortness of breath; or at least two of the following not explained by a known medical or physical condition: loss of taste or smell, muscle aches, sore throat, severe headache, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.  

Individuals must remain home until 24 hours have passed since the resolution of fever without medication or 10 days have passed since their symptoms first appeared or were tested positive.

Lambton County currently has 4 active cases, and the county hasn’t had a COVID-19 related hospital admission since May.

The City of Sarnia asks for help from the community regarding disposing of personal protective equipment. Masks, gloves, paper towels, tissues, wipes, and plastic bags belong in the garbage, not in the blue box.

 

Please continue to rely on reputable sources for information on COVID-19:

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Discover Sarnia-Lambton Promotes Local Tourism

Sarnia, Ontario – CA — Tourism provides a huge boost to local economies, and the shut down of businesses and enforcement of stay home orders has caused a lot of people to stay put rather than travel. Even as COVID-19 cases decline in the Sarnia-Lambton area, many people may still be reluctant to get too far from home.

In response to this, Tourism Sarnia-Lambton is encouraging “hyper-local” travel with a new Discover Sarnia-Lambton Ontario Blue Coast Travel Rewards Program. The program offers vouchers to those who book stays at local participating hotels and campgrounds, along with enjoying local attractions. Vouchers can be redeemed at a Tourism Sarnia-Lambton industry partners in the retail or restaurant sector.

Vouchers are available for all stays booked for August 17th – December 31st. Details about the program are available at DiscoverSarniaLambton.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

DOJ Launches Inquiry into Michigan Nursing Home Deaths

The U.S. Department of Justice is requesting data from governors of four states, including Michigan, regarding orders that may have resulted in the deaths of elderly nursing home residents at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a press release from the DOJ, they are evaluating whether to initiate investigations under the federal “Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act” (CRIPA), which protects the civil rights of persons in state-run nursing homes to determine if data backs up the claim that the ordered COVID -19 admissions caused deaths.

The inquiry is not being well-received by the governors. Governor Gretchen Whitmer accused the DOJ of playing politics.

A joint letter from the four governors involved said, “This is nothing more than a transparent politicization of the Department of Justice in the middle of the Republican National Convention.  It’s no coincidence the moment the Trump administration is caught weakening the CDC’s COVID-19 testing guidelines to artificially lower the number of positive cases, they launched this nakedly partisan deflection.”

The inquiry does not imply wrongdoing, nor have any conclusions been reached at this time.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Women’s Commission Sets Priorities

The Michigan Women’s Commission is moving from the Department of Civil Rights to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. The move is intended to increase the ability to address women’s economic issues in Michigan.

The Executive Director of the Michigan Women’s Commission, Cheryl Bergman, said, “Michigan women have told us time and time again that in order to achieve gender equity we need pay equity, affordable and accessible childcare, and more women in leadership. The Commission listened to these women, and is proud to take this next step with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. I am confident that by working together we can unlock opportunities, uplift women in leadership, address pay equity head on, and work hand in hand to move Michigan closer to gender equity.”  

In outlining their priorities, the Commission named pay equity, affordable childcare, paid parental leave, and the need for more women in leadership.

The Director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Jeff Donofrio, said, “Michigan women deserve action, and LEO will support the Commission to accomplish their priorities and achieve gender equity.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Safe Openings Program for Southwest Ontario Tourism Businesses

The Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation is attempting to address a study that suggests 20% of their tourism related businesses will not survive the pandemic.

Businesses that make most of their revenue from tourism related sales and activity can apply to the Safe Openings Program on September 15th. The program will award funds on a “First Come, First Served” basis until the budget is reached.

The Safe Openings Program will reimburse businesses for up $1,000 of costs they incurred to meet the safety requirements for reopening. That includes things such as signs, plexiglass, and hands-free technology, along with costs incurred from extra cleaning and sanitization.

To apply, click <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

With Flu Season on the Horizon, Immunization Encouraged

Michiganders will be hearing a lot about the importance of receiving a flu shot this year. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, along with the Governor’s office, are trying to get ahead of the season with a vaccine campaign. The Facing the Flu Together campaign will kick of on August 31st and reach Michiganders through several media channels.

The state has set a goal of achieving a 33% increase in flu vaccination this season which would be more than a 1 million person increase over last year.

The vaccine is already available in some parts of Michigan, and the supply should increase across the state and nation in early fall.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer received her flu vaccine during a press conference on Tuesday and said, “It’s more important than ever for Michiganders everywhere to get [their] flu vaccine. Preventing the flu will help us save lives and preserve the health care resources we need to continue fighting COVID-19. Every flu-related hospitalization we see this season will put an additional strain on Michigan’s economy and our health care systems and hospitals.”

As the flu vaccine becomes available, Michiganders should contact their local health departments, doctors, and pharmacies for more information.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand