The office of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer confirmed to FOX 2 that the governor will announce an extension of the state’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order on Thursday.
Whitmer also told WOOD-TV on Wednesday that the order would be extended and that the details would be announced on Thursday at a press briefing tentatively scheduled for 3 p.m.
The governor originally instituted the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order on March 23, making it effective through April 13. This order was designed to keep the state’s medical system from overloading and prohibited non-essential businesses from operating. Also, it prohibited Michigan residents from leaving the house unless it was for exercise or for essential travel like getting groceries or for medical care.
The order followed an earlier order that closed bars, gyms and theaters, as well as restricted restaurants to carry-out or delivery only.
It is unclear for how long Whitmer’s stay-at-home order will be extended. Michigan is expected to reach peak resource use on Tuesday and peak deaths on Thursday, according to an updated model from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, which is put together by the University of Washington.
As of Wednesday, there are more than 20,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Michigan, according to data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The death toll in the state is 959.
The City of Detroit is currently the area with the highest number confirmed cases in Michigan, with 5,824 confirmed cases and 251 deaths. It is followed by Oakland County at 4,007 confirmed cases, Wayne County at 3,802 confirmed cases and Macomb County at 2,626 confirmed cases.
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
Photo “Grechen Whitmer” by Gretchen Whitmer.
