Local News

Confirmed cases as of April 3rd at 5:30 PM are as follows:

• State of Michigan: 12,744 confirmed cases; 479 deaths
• St. Clair County: 69 confirmed cases
• Ontario: 3,255 confirmed cases; 67 deaths
• Sarnia-Lambton: 63 confirmed cases; 7 deaths

Lambton Public Health reports that the recent outbreak  of COVID-19 at Landmark Village Retirement Home is responsible for 15 confirmed cases (six staff and nine residents) and 4 deaths are linked to the retirement home. They continue to recommend that residents over the age of 70 self-isolate.

The Government of Ontario has also designated a “Restricted Fire Zone” in the province. All outdoor fires are restricted to enable emergency personnel can remain focused on the COVID-19 pandemic.

The St. Clair County Emergency Operations Center recommends volunteering to help combat feelings of helplessness and anxiety. Learn more about volunteering for the State of Michigan <HERE> and locally <HERE>.

According to a press release from Micgigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, The Whitmer Administration announced today that businesses across Michigan are now able to apply for $349 billion in Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II was joined by former Lt. Governor, and current president of the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) Brian Calley and Bob Doyle, president and CEO of the Michigan Association of CPAs, in launching a new statewide website, MIpaycheckprotection.com, to provide businesses with key resources to assist with the PPP application and loan process and ensure the greatest amount of federal funding is able to be used by small businesses for economic relief efforts throughout the state.

“All across Michigan, small businesses and families are doing their part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, but this unprecedented time has, understandably, created uncertainty for many employers,” Gilchrist said. “That’s why we are working to make it as easy as possible for even the smallest businesses to apply for additional funding with the launch of the Michigan Paycheck Protection Program website. The Paycheck Protection Program offers much-needed financial support for our small businesses and their workers to help them get through this tough time.”

The Michigan Paycheck Protection Program website was launched as a collaboration between the Small Business Association of Michigan, Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan SBDC and includes key eligibility information, videos and instructions to help with the application process, information on authorized SBA lenders and more.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and the Paycheck Protection Program is a lifeline,” said Calley. “These loans, much of which may be forgivable, are just what we need to get Michigan’s economy rolling as long as businesses apply.”

Michigan small businesses (per SBA size standards) – including hospitality and food industry businesses and sole proprietorships, independent contractors and self-employed persons – are eligible to apply for loans to help ensure employees continue receiving paychecks. The Paycheck Protection Program loans are designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll and may be forgiven if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.

For local information on the Michigan Paycheck Protection Program, including a list of local lenders, visit the St. Clair County EDA’s website <HERE> .

 

Upcoming Blood Drives in the Blue Water Area:

 

St. Clair 

4/14/20:  12:00 PM – 6:00 PM, K of C, 3501 Rattle Run Road

Port Huron

4/15/20: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, YMCA of the Blue Water Area, 1525 3rd Street

4/16/20: St. Clair County Administration Bldg., 200 Grand River Ave.

North Street

4/28/20: North Street United Methodist Church, 4580 North Road

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive.

On Sunday, March 29th, 2020,  Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement accepting the recommendation of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for an alternative care facility in Detroit.  Now, the Corps of Engineers is overseeing construction at the TCF Center, formerly know as Cobo Hall in Detroit, as it’s being converted into a medical facility.

The plan calls for insuring that Michigan has adequate medical space during the COVID-19 pandemic. FEMA is fundingconstruction and supplies for the site which will have approximately 900 beds and stations for medical personnel.  The site is being designed with negative pressure specifically for coronavirus patients who need oxygen.

In a statement, Governor Whitmer said – “The State of Michigan is working around the clock and doing everything we can to slow the spread of the coronavirus. We are proud to partner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, and the TCF Center to expand capacity in Detroit. By mobilizing quickly to construct a large alternate care facility in Detroit, we can help save lives.”

Federal officials are focusing on Wayne County as an emerging coronavirus hot spot as the city of Detroit alone surpassed 2,400 confirmed cases this week.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Ford is responding to the Trump administration’s call to to step up and build medically necessary equipment.  Ford has announced a partnership with GE to build 50,000 ventilators over the next 100 days.

The ventilators will be built at a plant in Michigan in cooperation with GE’s healthcare unit. The companies will then build 30,000 per month as needed to treat patients afflicted with the coronavirus. They hope to finish at least 50,000 over the next 100 days.

Ford said the simplified ventilator design, which is licensed by GE Healthcare from Florida-based Airon Corp and has been cleared by the FDA, can meet the needs of most COVID-19 patients. Production will start in late April at Ford’s Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti. It will produce the ventilators nearly around the clock, with 500 paid volunteer UAW-represented employees working on three shifts. Airon currently produces three Airon pNeuton Model A ventilators per day in Melbourne, Florida.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

The main concern officials have at this point in the COVID-19 pandemic is for mental health. Social distancing has had a domino effect in the lives of many as they are cut off from family, friends, and their support in the community.

Deb Johnson, Executive Director of St. Clair County Community Mental Health encourages parents to talk openly with their children. A free, CMH Support Line is now available Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.  Anyone age 14 and older can connect with a CMH licensed mental health professional by:

• Calling (810) 985-8900;
• Texting (810) 956-6335;
• Emailing: covid19support@scccmh.org

Lambton County Connects is a telephone based program for older adults who live in Lambton County and are feeling isolated and alone. The program is free and offers a way to connect with people without leaving your home. For more information check out Lambton County Connects at LambtonCares.ca

Confirmed cases as of April 2nd at 5:30 PM are as follows:

• State of Michigan: 10,791 confirmed cases; 417 deaths
• St. Clair County: 53 confirmed cases
• Ontario: 2,793 confirmed cases; 53 deaths
• Sarnia-Lambton: 59 confirmed cases; 6 deaths

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand