(WXYZ) — All of the updates on the coronavirus and the incredible impact it's having on our lives can be hard to keep up with. To help you keep up, we'll post this daily blog on our homepage. You can find all of our stories on our coronavirus page.
11:30 p.m.
According to numbers compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the United States has passed 500,000 patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
3:15 p.m.
Those who are self-employed, gig workers, 1099-independent contractors and low-wage workers can begin applying for unemployment in Michigan starting Monday morning.
The application window will open at 8 a.m. on Monday, April 13. Under the federal CARES Act, workers on state unemployment have already started getting the set $600 federal weekly payment in addition to the state benefit amount.
3 p.m.
There are now 1,281 COVID-19 deaths and 22,783 confirmed cases in Michigan, the state announced on Friday.
The increase in deaths was more than 200, and the largest single-day increase since the pandemic began last month. There were also 21,504 cases reported on Thursday.
"We are not out of the woods yet," Gov. Whitmer tweeted when announcing the deaths.
10:24 a.m.
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity implemented online tools to help resolve technical issues when applying for unemployment benefits. Click here.
10:17 a.m.
Campgrounds at Michigan state parks will remain closed through at least mid-May, the state announced this week. According to the Michigan DNR, all Michigan State Campgrounds will close through at least May 15. Click here.
10:02 a.m.
GFL Environmental is suspending all yard waste collection amid the coronavirus pandemic. The suspension takes effect on Monday, April 13. Click here.
8:21 a.m.
Electric Forest, a popular electronic music festival in West Michigan, may not happen this year after the Rothbury Village Council voted down rescheduled dates. Click here.
7:02 a.m.
The Department of Education recently announced that most federal student loans are automatically in forbearance, meaning all automatic payments have been suspended and consumers will not be charged interest or late fees. Click here.
6:57 a.m.
Hospitals taking money from the $2 trillion stimulus bill will have to agree not to send “surprise” medical bills to patients treated for COVID-19, the White House said Thursday. Click here.
4:13 a.m.
The TCF Regional Care Center is ready to accept its first 25 patients on Friday, and will be staffed by Henry Ford Health System, McLaren Health Care, Beaumont Health and Detroit Medical Center. Click here.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.
See all of our Helping Each Other stories.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.