Michigan Sees Jump Of 800 Coronavirus Cases Since Thursday, Up To 92 Deaths

According to new data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), 92 people have now died of COVID-19 in Michigan. There were 60 deaths as of Thursday.

A statewide coronavirus hotline is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1-888-535-6136. Information can be found on the DHHS website or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention website.

There are now 3,657 positive cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by a new coronavirus, as of 3 p.m. Friday, although state officials believe the actual number of cases is much higher. There were 2,856 cases as of Thursday. That is an increase of 801 cases. Fifty-seven of Michigan’s 83 counties have cases.

According to DHHS, there have been 1,075 cases reported in Detroit, 824 cases reported in Oakland County, 735 cases reported in Wayne County and 404 cases in Macomb County.

There are 10,524 negative tests. There were 13,769 total specimens tested.

The new state-reported numbers only recently began incorporating data from other commercial and private labs and hospitals around Michigan, which caused an apparent spike in numbers that speaks more to the number of cases just now being publicly reported.

The first two cases of COVID-19 were reported in the state on March 10. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency that day.

The New York Times reports that there are 561,900 confirmed cases worldwide and 26,161 deaths. In the United States, there are 93,568 confirmed cases and 1,400 deaths.

Unemployed Michiganders encouraged to apply online during off-peak hours

As previously reported by the Advance, new figures from the U.S. Department of Labor show more than 129,000 Michigan residents reported being out of work last week, an indicator of the continued impacts COVID-19 shutdowns are having on the economy.

Due to high demand, the Michigan Unemployment Agency is now encouraging people to apply for benefits during “off-peak hours,” between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.

Utility companies put shut-offs on hold amid COVID-19 outbreak

Utility companies like DTE Energy and Consumers Energy have temporarily stopped service disconnections during the COVID-19 outbreak in Michigan, according to the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC),

The companies are also working to extend payment plans for low-income customers, seniors and those impacted by illness or job losses related to COVID-19.

DHHS Director Robert Gordon said maintaining electric and heating service is critical to reducing the spread of COVID-19.

“Michiganders need to stay home, and many are dealing with lost income,” Gordon said. “We must do everything we can to keep people safe at home while we work to reduce the impact of the coronavirus, and we appreciate our partners at energy utilities throughout the state who are stepping up to pause service disconnections and provide flexibility to customers in need.”

In addition, utilities regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission or owned by cooperatives have also instituted policies to help customers during the COVID-19 outbreak, which range from suspended disconnections and assistance to reconnect service to payment assistance.

“We encourage anyone who anticipates difficulty paying their energy bills not to wait, and to reach out to their utility company as soon as they can to work out payment options,” said Sally Talberg, Chairman of the Michigan Public Service Commission, which regulates investor-owned energy companies in Michigan. “Each utility may vary, but whether you a have medical or financial need, payment protections and assistance are available.”

Funds also are available through partnering organizations to help eligible customers who are behind on their utility bills. DHHS has announced that they are taking action to streamline the State Emergency Relief Fund, which is DHHS’ energy assistance program.

Residents who heat their homes with propane are eligible for income-based assistance programs.

Customers with heating costs that they are unable to pay are advised to contact their energy supplier and explain their situation before they run out of fuel.

Utility contact information:

For specific information about bill assistance or flexible payment plans, contact your utility directly.

Investor-owned utilities:

Alpena Power Company: 989-358-4900, www.alpenapower.com

Aurora Gas Company: 989-733-6625, www.pieg.com

Citizens Gas Fuel Company: 800-982-2831, www.citizensgasfuel.com

Consumers Energy Company: 800-477-5050, www.consumersenergy.com

DTE Energy Company: 800-477-4747, www.dteenergy.com

Indiana Michigan Power Company: 800-672-2231, www.indianamichiganpower.com

Michigan Gas Utilities: 800-401-6402, accel.michigangasutilities.com

Northern States Power Company: 800-895-4999, www.xcelenergy.com

Semco Energy Gas Company: 800-624-2019, www.semcoenergygas.com

Superior Energy Company: 888-468-2828, www.secnaturalgas.com

Upper Michigan Energy Resources: 800-242-9137, www.uppermichiganenergy.com

Upper Peninsula Power Company: 800-562-7680, www.uppco.com

Wisconsin Electric Power Company: 800-242-9137 ,www.we-energies.com

Municipal utilities:

Baraga: 906-353-6237, www.villageofbaraga.com.

Bay City: 989-894-8350, www.baycitymi.org

Charlevoix: 231-547-3273, www.cityofcharlevoix.org

Chelsea: 734-475-1771, www.city-chelsea.org

Clinton: 517-456-7494, www.villageofclinton.org

Coldwater: 517-279-9531, www.coldwater.org

Croswell: 810-679-2299, www.cityofcroswell.com

Crystal Falls: 906-875-3212, www.crystalfalls.org

Daggett: 906-753-6931

Dowagiac: 269-782-2195, www.cityofdowagiac.com

Eaton Rapids: 517-663-8118, www.cityofeatonrapids.com

Escanaba: 906-786-0552, www.escanaba.org

Gladstone: 906-428-3737, www.gladstonemi.org

Grand Haven: 616.846.6250, www.ghblp.org

Harbor Springs: 231-526-2122, www.cityofharborsprings.com

Hart: 231-923-0012, www.cityofhart.org

Hillsdale: 517-437-3387, www.cityofhillsdale.org/bpu

Holland: 616-355-1500, www.hollandbpw.com

L’Anse: 906-524-6116, www.villageoflanse.org

Lansing: 517-702-6006, www.lbwl.com

Lowell: 616-897-8402, www.lowell-light.org

Marquette: 906-228-0311, www.mblp.org

Marshall: 269-558-0329, www.cityofmarshall.com

Negaunee: 906-475-7700, www.cityofnegaunee.com

Newberry: 906-293-3433, www.villageofnewberry.com

Niles: 269-683-4700, www.nilesmi.org

Norway: 906-563-9961, www.norwaymi.gov

Paw Paw: 269-657-3148, www.pawpaw.net

Petoskey: 231-347-2500, www.petoskey.us

Portland: 517-647-7531, www.portland-michigan.org

St. Louis: 989-681-2137, www.stlouismi.com

Sebewaing: 989-883-2700, www.slandw.com

South Haven: 269-637-0700, www.south-haven.com

Stephenson: 906-753-6228, www.stephenson-mi.com

Sturgis: 269-659-7287, www.sturgismi.gov

Traverse City: 231-922-4431, www.tclp.org

Union City: 517-741-8591, www.visitunioncity.com

Wakefield: 906-229-5131, www.cityofwakefield.org

Wyandotte: 734-324-7100, www.wyandotte.net

Zeeland: 616-772-6212, www.zeelandbpw.com

Rural electric cooperatives:

Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association: 906-428-4141, www.algerdelta.com

Cherryland Electric Cooperative: 231-486-9200, www.cecelec.com

Great Lakes Energy Cooperative: 888-485-2537, www.gtlakes.com

HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Co-op: 800-562-8232, www.homeworks.org

Midwest Energy & Communications: 800-492-5989, www.teammidwest.com

Ontonagon County REA: 906-884-4151, www.ontonagon.coop

Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op: 989-733-8515, www.pieg.com

Thumb Electric Cooperative: 989-658-8571, www.tecmi.coop

Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative: 231-775-5700, www.wpsci.com

This story was originally published by the Michigan Advance. For more stories from the Michigan Advance, visit MichiganAdvance.com.