NewsCoronavirus

Actions

The latest coronavirus updates: Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Posted at 4:06 AM, Apr 01, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-02 04:12:00-04

(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 THIS BLOG AT THE TIME THEY WILL OCCUR.

4:57 p.m.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has formally declared a state of disaster in Michigan. She signed an executive order Wednesday which expanded the scope of economic, educational, and civic dislocation caused by the COVID-19, and equips the administration to address fully the devastation caused by virus that also made the formal declaration.

“Since Michigan announced our first confirmed cases of COVID-19 three weeks ago, we have taken some of the most aggressive measures in the country to mitigate the spread of the virus and protect Michigan families,” Whitmer said in a release. “Today’s action will allow my administration to respond more effectively to every facet of this crisis. During this time, it’s crucial that Michiganders continue to stay home and keep their distance from others. We will get through this together.”

3 p.m.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is set to address Detroit's response to the coronavirus.

2:50 p.m.

There are now 337 deaths and 9,334 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Michigan, health officials announced.

11:12 a.m.

Don’t hoard medical supplies. That’s the message from the U.S. Attorney and FBI Special Agent in Charge for Michigan.

U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider says the Justice Department is receiving reports of people using the coronavirus pandemic to hoard crucial medical supplies, and then they are selling them at excessive prices.

President Trump issued an Executive Order on March 23, 2020 which prohibits hoarding items such as N95 respirator masks, portable ventilators, and drugs with the active ingredient chloroquine phosphate or hydroxychoroquine HCl.

The order also bans the hoarding of disinfecting devices, medical gowns or apparel, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), PPE face masks, PPE surgical masks, and gloves.

“We are not going after regular people in Michigan who are stocking up in a reasonable manner, or businesses who are making smart storage decisions,” said Schneider. “But if you are hoarding goods far above what you need, or if you’re trying to rip off the people of Michigan by profiting from the pandemic, we will be targeting you."
9:19 a.m.

The Michigan restaurant industry took a massive hit in March due to the COVID-19 outbreak, losing an estimated $491 million and 72,000 jobs. That's according to a survey from the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association. Click here.

9:02 a.m.

TCF Bank created a $100,000 match incentive program in collaboration with Henry Ford Health System's COVID-19 Emergency Needs Fund. Click here.

8:59 a.m.

Beginning Friday, Costco will allow no more than two people to enter one of its stores on the same membership card in an attempt to limit crowds and prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Click here.

7:49 a.m.

Clothing company Detroit Hustles Harder is seeking out local artists, brands and small businesses for a new project to help raise money for those directly impacted by COVID-19. Click here.

7:41 a.m.

President Donald Trump’s allies are trying to contain a politically risky election year fight with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as he struggles to balance presidential politics with a global pandemic in one of the nation’s most important swing states. Click here.

7:15 a.m.

The IRS and the Treasury Department say Americans will start receiving their economic impact checks in the next three weeks. The IRS and Treasury have provided more details on how to ensure you get paid. Here are the basics.

6:49 a.m.

National Coney Island has announced its decision to temporarily close down all locations during the continuing coronavirus pandemic. Click here.

5:32 a.m.

Residents are being told to limit the amount of time spent in public – that includes in the grocery store – amid the coronavirus outbreak. Here's how to store your fruits and veggies so they last longer. Click here.

4:32 a.m.

Joe Biden says Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is on his vice president list. 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.