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The latest coronavirus updates: Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Posted at 4:09 AM, Mar 31, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-01 04:06:18-04

(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.

SCHEDULED EVENTS HAVE BEEN PLACED IN THE BELOW TIMELINE FOR WHEN THEY WILL OCCUR

9:03 p.m.

To help in the fight against the growing coronavirus pandemic, Ford will be manufacturing respirators at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant, the UAW said in a Facebook post Tuesday .

5:37 p.m.

The State of Michigan has received 400 ventilators to help in its fight against COVID-19, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Tuesday afternoon.

According to Whitmer, the ventilators came from the strategic national stockpile and are on their way to hospitals in need across the state.

"We are still working to secure more and ensure our health providers have the tools they need. Thank you James Joseph from FEMA," Whitmer tweeted.

5:28 p.m.

The Army Corp of Engineers is setting up field hospitals across the United States to help combat COVID-19. The Army Corp is looking at more than 300 facilities nationwide that it could turn into hospitals.

3:03 p.m.

There are now 259 deaths and 7,615 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Michigan, according to new numbers released by the state on Tuesday afternoon.

That's up from 184 deaths and 6,498 confirmed cases, reported Thursday, which was the biggest single-day jump in cases for the state. That changed Tuesday with a jump of 1,117 cases and 75 deaths.

3:00 p.m.

Mayor Mike Duggan said that FEMA has 200,000 testing swabs on the way to Detroit to aide in coronavirus testing.

Duggan also says 22 doctors offices have signed up to take new patients for coronavirus testing. The list will be posted on the Detroit website.

2:33 p.m.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said it is closing the Tippy Dam Recreation Area due to crowded conditions, and added that more closures are likely.

According to the DNR, there was a surge in visitors at state parks over the last two weeks, including at the Tippy Dam Recreation Area in Manistee County.

DNR staff observed many instances of improper social distancing and people traveling a long way to visit the outdoor space. They say this type of nonessential travel could increase the spread of COVID-19.

2:15 p.m.

The U.S. has surpassed China in the number of deaths linked to the novel coronavirus, according to a database kept by Johns Hopkins.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Johns Hopkins reported 3,416 deaths lined to COVID-19 across the country — about 100 more than the 3,309 deaths reported in China.

2:04 p.m.

New projections from Michigan Medicine show that aggressive social distancing could reduce the number of COVID-19 patients at U-M hospitals by as much as 65% at its peak in early May. The results of the projections were released on Tuesday afternoon.

“This data confirms that everyone in Michigan can help us flatten the curve and it is crucial. This is not to be taken lightly,” said Vikas Parekh, M.D., associate chief clinical officer for Michigan Medicine’s adult hospitals and professor of internal medicine.

According to forecasting models, in a worst-case scenario, the peak number of patients at at U-M hospitals could be 5,860 on May 4. With aggressive social distancing, the model shows about 2,000 patients on the same date.

2:00 P.M.

The Army Corps of Engineers will be giving a look inside the TCF Center at the preparations that are ongoing to create a field hospital in the facility.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE AT 2:00 P.M
10:13 a.m.
10:13 a.m.
Carhartt announced Tuesday it is shifting production to make medical gowns and masks to help men and women on the frontline fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here.
Carhartt announced Tuesday it is shifting production to make medical gowns and masks to help men and women on the frontline fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here.
10:03 a.m.
10:03 a.m.
Michigan State University is allowing hundreds of health care students who successfully completed their program requirements to enter the state's health care systems earlier than usual. Click here.
Michigan State University is allowing hundreds of health care students who successfully completed their program requirements to enter the state's health care systems earlier than usual. Click here.
9:59 a.m.
9:59 a.m.
Greektown Casino-Hotel is offering free rooms to first responders who are afraid to risk bringing COVID-19 home to their families. Click here.
Greektown Casino-Hotel is offering free rooms to first responders who are afraid to risk bringing COVID-19 home to their families. Click here.
9:16 a.m.
9:16 a.m.
Children are feeling the psychological and physical brunt of the stress and uncertainty caused by COVID-19, University of Michigan researchers say. Click here.
Children are feeling the psychological and physical brunt of the stress and uncertainty caused by COVID-19, University of Michigan researchers say. Click here.
9:06 a.m.
9:06 a.m.
Michiganders are allowed to go fishing during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the state's Department of Natural Resources. Click here.
Michiganders are allowed to go fishing during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the state's Department of Natural Resources. Click here.
9:04 a.m.
9:04 a.m.
General Motors announced plans to produce face masks at a massive scale this month as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads throughout the United States. Click here.
General Motors announced plans to produce face masks at a massive scale this month as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads throughout the United States. Click here.
8:56 a.m.
8:56 a.m.
Michigan desperately needs thousands of ventilators to treat victims of the coronavirus and more health care workers willing to pitch in during the crisis, state officials said Monday. Click here.
Michigan desperately needs thousands of ventilators to treat victims of the coronavirus and more health care workers willing to pitch in during the crisis, state officials said Monday. Click here.
8:40 a.m.
8:40 a.m.
Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace is looking to fill 100 part-time, full-time and temporary positions at its metro Detroit locations. Click here.
Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace is looking to fill 100 part-time, full-time and temporary positions at its metro Detroit locations. Click here.
8:26 a.m.
8:26 a.m.
The University of Michigan drive-up donation site is now taking food donations on top of protective gear for healthcare workers. Click here.
The University of Michigan drive-up donation site is now taking food donations on top of protective gear for healthcare workers. Click here.
7:42 a.m.
On March 31, Taco Bell will give away a free nacho-flavored Doritos Locos Taco to all drive-thru customers while supplies last. Click here.
On March 31, Taco Bell will give away a free nacho-flavored Doritos Locos Taco to all drive-thru customers while supplies last. Click here.
7:50 a.m.
7:50 a.m.
Walmart will begin taking the temperature of its employees prior to their shifts in the hopes of preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus, the company said in a press release on Monday. Click here.
Walmart will begin taking the temperature of its employees prior to their shifts in the hopes of preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus, the company said in a press release on Monday. Click here.
7:34 a.m.
7:34 a.m.
Oakland County has launched a new interactive mapthat breaks down positive COVID-19 cases by zip code. Click here.
Oakland County has launched a new interactive mapthat breaks down positive COVID-19 cases by zip code. Click here.
7:18 a.m.
7:18 a.m.
Ford is delaying the restart of production at its North America plants to help protect its workers. Click here.
Ford is delaying the restart of production at its North America plants to help protect its workers. Click here.
7:06 a.m.
7:06 a.m.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared Wednesday, April 1, “Take a Break and Be Counted” Day in Michigan to encourage residents to complete the 2020 Census and support the state’s “Be Counted” campaign’s goal of 82 percent participation statewide. Click here.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared Wednesday, April 1, “Take a Break and Be Counted” Day in Michigan to encourage residents to complete the 2020 Census and support the state’s “Be Counted” campaign’s goal of 82 percent participation statewide. Click here.
5:22 a.m.
5:22 a.m.
A grassroots group of Whole Foods workers is calling for a national “sick out” today, in protest of what they call unsafe working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. Click here.
A grassroots group of Whole Foods workers is calling for a national “sick out” today, in protest of what they call unsafe working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. Click here.
4:40 a.m.
4:40 a.m.
With millions of American losing their jobs or seeking their work hours curtailed, we could all use a few extra dollars. The federal government are slashing interest rates and it could help if thinking about refinancing some high interest loans. Click here.
With millions of American losing their jobs or seeking their work hours curtailed, we could all use a few extra dollars. The federal government are slashing interest rates and it could help if thinking about refinancing some high interest loans. Click here.
With millions of American losing their jobs or seeking their work hours curtailed, we could all use a few extra dollars. The federal government are slashing interest rates and it could help if thinking about refinancing some high interest loans. Click here.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.
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.
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.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.
Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.
See all of our Helping Each Other stories.
See all of our Helping Each Other stories.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.