Complete Story
12/01/2020
COVID-19 Updates from Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky
Ohio State Updates: 11/24 - 11/30
At the urging of Governor DeWine, the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) board voted unanimously to approve issuing $5 billion in dividends to Ohio’s employers in mid-December to ease the financial pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic. This is nearly four times the dividend BWC issued in October, bringing total dividends this year to nearly $8 billion. Employers should expect to see their checks in the mail in mid-December.
In September, a new initiative was announced in collaboration with JobsOhio called “Ohio to Work,” to help Ohioans who are looking for a job during the pandemic. The initiative pulls together employers, nonprofits, educators, and training providers to help Ohioans reskill and restart their careers. Lt. Governor Husted said that the program is currently being piloted in the Greater Cleveland area, and October’s first Virtual Career Fair had more than 30 employers with over 1,000 open jobs. More than 700 job seekers attended. The next Virtual Career Fair is Thursday, December 10. To register, visit OhiotoWork.com.
Governor DeWine today announced a new program to help improve indoor air quality and reduce the transmission of COVID-19 at senior living facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living centers, and adult day centers. The $28 million program was created using federal CARES Act funding to address indoor air quality through HVAC inspections, portable air filtration systems, new filtration systems, maintenance on current systems, and other interventions. Eligible recipients can receive up to $15,000.
The governor continued a travel advisory for all individuals coming into Ohio from states reporting positive COVID-19 testing rates of 15% or higher. Those traveling from one of the following states should self-quarantine for 14 days at home or in a hotel: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Utah.
The self-quarantine recommendation applies to those who live in Ohio and to people who are traveling into Ohio from any of these states. Ohio's positivity rate, an indicator of the percentage of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, was 15.1% over the last 7 days (up from 13.5%). Visit www.coronavirus.ohio.gov for tips on how to effectively quarantine.
Ohio saw a decrease in new COVID-19 cases, with an average of 7,891 new cases per day over the last 7 days compared to an average of 9,130 new cases per day over the previous 7 days.
Michigan State Updates: 11/24 - 11/30
As the 10th month of the coronavirus pandemic sets in, Michigan is witnessing the strain that COVID-19 has placed on the state, workforce and health care system. Public health experts say the focal point of all of the preventative measures such as mask-wearing, social distancing and limitations on gatherings are critical to bending what's been an out-of-control infection curve. The percentage of COVID-19 tests coming back positive continues to increase, a worrisome sign for epidemiologists that the virus continues to spread uncontrolled in communities.
Nearly one in every five hospital beds in Michigan is occupied by a COVID patient, according to MDHHS. The surge in hospitalizations from late October and early November when week-over-week counts were increasing by 30 percent to 40 percent has slowed down. There was just 4 percent growth in hospitalizations over the past week for COVID-positive patients.
The board of the Michigan Strategic Fund, the state's main pool of dollars for economic development activities, on Monday afternoon approved $11 million for the Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative. The money comes from federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CARES Act funding, a part of the federal stimulus program passed in March as the coronavirus pandemic shut down much of the nation's economy. Some $10 million will be put toward grants of up to $15,000 each for businesses around the state, while the additional $1 million will pay for administrative costs associated with the grants, according to a memo from the state. It is expected that the funds will be divided into 10 regions around the state, with $3.55 million, or 35.5 percent, being made available to businesses in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, according to the briefing memo.
The new Small Business Relief Initiative makes for the 20th response program launched by the MEDC and the MSF since March. The MEDC says that since that time it has supported more than 18,500 companies in all of the state's 83 counties, resulting in nearly 147,000 retained jobs.
All major health systems will receive the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines once the FDA gives emergency use authorization and the CDC authorizes which frontline health care workers and nursing home residents will be inoculated in the first wave. Health systems include the University of Michigan, Beaumont Health, Henry Ford Health System, Spectrum Health, Mid-Michigan, Trinity Health Michigan and Ascension Michigan. They will most likely first vaccinate health care workers in COVID-19 medical units, emergency departments, intensive care units and operating rooms. It is also believed CVS Health and Walgreens will receive shipments from vaccine manufacturers or through McKesson Corp., which holds a delivery contract from the federal government, to administer to nursing home residents and health care workers, most likely in early January.
Bob Swanson, director of immunization with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said the state's goal is for all hospitals and local health departments to receive the first round of vaccine shipments so frontline health care workers and nursing home residents can be protected. After designated frontline workers are vaccinated, Swanson said essential workers and those over age 65 or those with chronic medical conditions will receive the two-dose shots in the next two phases. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state's chief medical executive, said the general public will most likely receive the vaccine in early spring.
Kentucky State Updates: 11/24 - 11/30
Governor Andy Beshear announced the state’s worst ever COVID-19 report by virtually every measure. He reported more than 4,000 new cases and 35 deaths. Nearly 250 Kentuckians are fighting for their lives on ventilators. Kentucky has experienced a 400% increase in positive cases over the past nine weeks. As reported last week, new requirements impact restaurants, bars, social gatherings, indoor fitness and recreation centers, venues and theaters, professional services, and schools. See the full executive orders here and here. The red zone counties for this week can be found here.
A recent study in Kansas from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that on average, counties that mandated mask-wearing saw a 6% reduction in cases; in contrast, the counties that opted out saw a 100% increase in cases.
The Governor encouraged Kentuckians to donate blood to support local hospitals. “The need for blood donors remains high as we continue to battle COVID-19 here in Kentucky and across the United States.” said Gov. Beshear.
UPS is aiming to help restaurant and bar workers who have recently lost employment. “Heading into the holiday season, UPS is planning to hire more than 1,000 people across Kentucky. These jobs include package handlers, warehouse workers and team members to help drivers delivering packages. These are good wages, and these jobs come at a crucial time for many Kentuckians.”
Gov. Andy Beshear and Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH), said the state is expecting to receive approximately 38,000 doses of the vaccine against COVID-19 as early as mid-December. “We can go ahead and provide the first of these shots, and then we will receive the booster shots about three weeks later,” said Gov. Beshear. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines both require an initial shot followed by a booster shot. While the number of doses and allocation plan are subject to change, the Governor said the majority of the state’s initial vaccine shipment will go to long-term care facilities; about 12,000 doses will go to hospitals to help inoculate health care workers. Kentuckians can visit the KYCOVID-19 website for more information on the vaccines, including the state’s draft plan and FAQs.
The Governor said there is about $11 million remaining in the Healthy at Home Utility Relief Fund and encouraged eligible Kentuckians to apply. “Eligible households can receive a one-time $500 benefit towards their water and or wastewater bills and $400 towards their natural gas or utility bills,” said Gov. Beshear. Households who have an income up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Line and have been economically impacted due to COVID-19 can apply. Interested households should contact their local Community Action Outreach Office on how to apply. To locate your local office, please call 800-456-3452.
New COVID-19 cases have decreased in Kentucky this week, with an average of 2,972 new cases per day over the last 7 days compared to an average of 3,037 new cases per day over the previous 7 days. Day-to-day numbers continue to fluctuate.
