DETROIT (WXYZ) — Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced that another 45 Detroiters died of COVID-19 as of Wednesday afternoon. That brought the city to a total of 7,141 cases and 469 deaths.
Duggan said he wants people to know that while the death rate increased, there are signs that social distancing is slowing the spread of this virus.
“All the data we are seeing from the hospitals continues to go in a positive direction. The number of patients in the hospital are down. The number of patients on ventilators are down significantly,” Duggan said.
Duggan said another positive sign is seen at TCF Center. The convention center has been set up to handle 1,000 patients. Right now, 16 patients are being cared for there, less than expected.
The mayor says he has seen people on social media comment on video of police cracking down on groups gathering, saying Detroiters aren’t working together to stop this. He has a different take.
“Every time a group gathers in this town, neighbors call police. The police come out and it dissipates almost immediately,” Duggan said.
In the meantime, the city is working to make up for $348 million in lost revenue due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The mayor said they will have to lay off 200 part-time, temporary and seasonal employees. He says the city will file unemployment claims for them.
Thanks to the Federal CARES act, the mayor says they are able to temporarily lay off or decrease the hours of full time employees, but allow them to collect unemployment while keeping their health benefits.
“We are reducing your hours because you are important to us and we want you back,” said the mayor.
The mayor also announced that one of the Detroiters who lost their life was a city employee. Cortney Jackson, who was a supervisor and boiler inspector, has been a loved and respected city employee for 24 years. He leaves behind a loving wife and three children.
“Mr. Jackson was a father of three, was somebody you could count on all the time, and was well known among all his co-workers at the annual picnic where he would show off his chess prowess and take on all comers. Our hearts go out to Mr. Jackson and his family,” Duggan said.
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