Though it likely won’t last long, it is a welcome relief to see the death rate from COVID-19 stay the same in our counties for two consecutive days. However, the death rate in the State of Michigan is continuing to climb, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags lowered to half-staff throughout the state of Michigan indefinitely starting on April 10, 2020 to honor and mourn those who have lost their lives due to the coronavirus.
Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of April 10th at 4:30 PM are as follows:
- State of Michigan: 22,783 confirmed cases; 1,281 deaths
- St. Clair County: 184 confirmed cases; 4 county resident deaths (There was also 1 death in a county hospital of an out-of-county resident)
- Ontario: 6,237 confirmed cases; 222 deaths
- Sarnia-Lambton: 105 confirmed cases; 9 deaths
The St. Clair County Health Department is reporting that testing capacity is improving in the county. Hospitals are increasing the number of tests conducted and the process is becoming more efficient. They say that “improvements are continuous and better data collection methods are anticipated in the future.”
The health department is replacing their daily media releases with weekly updates, so we will respond accordingly. WGRT will continue to report updates as we receive them on various aspects of the pandemic.
Please continue to reputable sources for information on COVID-19:
- Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov/coronavirus
- State of Michigan: Michigan.gov/coronavirus or Info Hotline 1-888-535-6136 Daily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm or email questions to COVID19@michigan.gov
- St. Clair County Health Department: COVID-19 Info Hotline (810) 966-4163 Mon – Fri, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm or email questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org
- St. Clair County Community Mental Health COVID-19 Support Line (810) 985-8900, available Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm
- Lambton Public Health: https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/2019-novel-coronavirus/
- City of Sarnia COVID-19 Hotline: 1-877-4-SARNIA (1-877-472-7642)
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand
