Whitmer Shuts Schools Down After 10 New COVID-19 Cases ID’ed

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered the closure of all K-12 schools in Michigan, starting March 16 through April 5, after state officials announced that 10 new COVID-19 cases have been identified. This adds to the two presumed positive cases announced earlier this week. 

“This is not a decision that I make lightly,” said Whitmer in a press conference late Thursday night. “This is a necessary step to protect kids and teachers and families, and overall public health.”

“We continue to urge Michiganders to take precautions to prevent the spread COVID-19 in our state.” – Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Whitmer said these are precautions school districts have already started implementing, and said she believes teachers and school staff should get paid as if they are in session. 

Coronavirus in Michigan: Don’t Panic. Here’s What We Know.

The 10 new cases were identified by tests conducted in Lansing but still have to be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

According to a release, the cases are:

• An adult female from Ingham County with history of travel on a cruise.
• Two adult females from Kent County and one adult male, all with history of international travel.
• An adult female from Montcalm with history of international travel.
• Two adult males from Oakland County; one with no travel history and one with domestic travel.
• An adult male from St. Clair County with history of domestic travel.
• One adult female and one adult male from Washtenaw County; one with history of domestic travel and one with history of international travel.

“We continue to urge Michiganders to take precautions to prevent the spread COVID-19 in our state,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief deputy for health at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, in a release. “We have to proactively implement community mitigation strategies that will help prevent the spread of the disease, and particularly protect our most vulnerable Michiganders.”

101.9 WDET, Detroit’s NPR Station, is committed to providing accurate, up-to-date information on coronavirus, and it’s related illness COVID-19, in Michigan. Most people are not expected to contract COVID-19, but due to the an abundance of caution, as indicated by state officials, WDET wants to make sure our audience is getting reliable, accurate information from a trusted source on an issue that they are concerned about.

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Michiganders are advised to follow proper precautions, including: 

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home if you are sick and contact your healthcare provider.

Concern about coronavirus have impacted the entire state. Here’s what we know right now.