Category: News

The only local races in The Advance coverage area that had been decided by midnight, according to the Lenawee County clerk’s office figures as Nov. 4 arrived were those for the two Deerfield Township trustee seats.

In the hotly contested race, Daniel Witt, Republican incumbent, was the top vote-getter with 457 votes, followed by newcomer Randy Dusseau, no party affiliation stated, with 293 votes. Others running were Christopher VanDyke with 266 votes, Daniel Gilson II at 240, Jamie Franks, Republican, with 221 votes, and Amy Daniels with 69. Daniels, Gilson and VanDyke also ran with no party affiliation.

In addition, the Deerfield Township fire rescue renewal millage passed 594-184.

Riga Township had reported, but its seats were uncontested. Blissfield and Palmyra townships had not reported so their races and the Blissfield Village races were not yet posted. Blissfield’s board of education races had two of eight precincts reporting so had not yet been decided as of midnight.

The coronavirus numbers are climbing in Lenawee County, according to the Lenawee County Health Department and www.michigan.gov. From Aug. 31 to Sept. 1, the local numbers registered an increase of 31 new cases, from 524 on Monday to 555 on Tuesday. Then today, the county reported 579 cases, but the state’s official website reported 587 cases on Sept. 2, which would be another 32 cases.

In sifting through those numbers on the state website, those high numbers actually reflect earlier tests for which results are just coming back on these two days, and the numbers are spread back in days including and since Aug. 24.

On Sept. 1, the health department in the county reported that 256 cases or 48 percent of the cases they had at that time were active cases, meaning the patients are either monitoring at home or hospitalized. That number rose to 280 today. The last two days’ Lenawee County reports have shown four county residents hospitalized with Covid-19.
“Many recent cases are among individuals age 18 to 24 years of age, with the most notable increase in this group occurring the last week of August,” stated a news release from the Lenawee County Health Department Sept. 1. “The following data shows the number of cases among the 18- to 24 year- old group during the month of August:
August 1-8 4 cases
August 9-15 7 cases
August 16-22 3 cases
August 23-31 57 cases
“Many of these cases are associated with students returning to local colleges and universities,” the release continued. “The Health
Department is currently working closely with both Adrian College and Siena Heights University to address outbreaks at these facilities. Adrian College has reported 152 total cases of COVID-19; 139 active cases and 13 recovered. Siena Heights University has reported two positive COVID-19 cases; both active cases.”

Due to the timing of when results are referred to the Michigan Disease Surveillance System, not all Adrian College COVID-19 cases were reflected in Lenawee County’s count Sept. 1.

Statewide, there are now 103,710 cases confirmed with 6509 deaths, including 14 today. There were 524 new cases reported today in the state.

Monroe County saw its death toll climb to 27 today with 1186 cases; Hillsdale has 280 cases/26 deaths; Jackson County has 830 cases/39 deaths; and Washtenaw County has 2615 cases with 114 deaths. Lenawee County’s fatality toll remains at 13.

With no explanation, Lenawee County’s Health Department posted its 12th death from the Novel coronavirus on its website Wednesday, July 29.

There were also five new cases confirmed bringing the case total in Lenawee to 336, comprised of 162 males and 174 females, three of whom are hospitalized. There are 125 recuperating at home and the number who have emerged from isolation has risen to 196 from 187 the day prior. However, those five cases were added to prior days, according to the state’s michigan.gov test reporting site. It showed no new cases in Lenawee today, one Tuesday, three Monday, one Sunday and zero last Saturday.

In addition, there are 42 probable cases (32 females, 10 males) and all have discontinued isolation except two who are monitoring their symptoms at home.

The Michigan Covid-19 case count rose to 80,177 with a total of 6172 deaths. There were two deaths added statewide, one of which was the Lenawee County fatality. There were 996 new cases reported by the state, with an asterisk stating that 300 of those were old cases found through file reviews.

Monroe County has had 720 cases with 20 deaths; Hillsdale saw a five-case increase to 221 with 25 deaths; Jackson County rose in 24 hours from 613 to 631 with 32 deaths; and Wastenaw County added 32 cases to 2035 with 110 deaths.

Ohio’s case count rose today to 87,893 with 3422 deaths. The Buckeye State has had 10,553 hospitalizations. Lenawee County’s case load rose to 4407 overall with 313 deaths. Fulton County and Williams County did not report any new cases or deaths today, standing at 127 cases and no deaths in Fulton and 110 cases and three deaths in Williams.

The Lenawee County Health Department reported a three-case addition since Monday, July 27, to its overall caseload for a total of 331 people who have tested positive for Covid-19 since its first case in March.

Of these, there are 170 females and 161 males. Three are hospitalized, which is a drop of one since Monday, however, 130 people are still monitoring cases at home and 187 people have discontinued isolation. In addition, there are 41 probable cases with 31 females and 10 males, none of whom as hospitaled and only four of whom are still at home monitoring symptoms.

In Michigan today, there were 79,176 total cases with 6,170 deaths since the coronavirus was identified in the state. There were 669 new cases today and 16 deaths, but 11 of those were found through review of records so actually five were recorded today – and one of those was in Jackson County.

In the surround counties, Jackson now reports 613 cases with 32 deaths; Hillsdale has 216 cases and 25 deaths; Monroe has 706 cases and 20 deaths; and Washtenaw, the most populous of Lenawee’s neighboring counties, has 2003 cases and 110 deaths.

In the Lenawee County long-term care facilities, Lenawee County Medical Care Facility has had 10 resident cases and two resident deaths as well as seven staff cases; Lynwood Manor has one patient case, no deaths; Provincial House of Adrian has had three staff cases; and The Oasis at Adrian Rehabilitation facility has had one patient case and one death.

Meanwhile, the summer has not been kind to Ohio. Once reporting a fraction of the cases Michigan has, Ohio reported 86,497 cases Tuesday, surpassing the Michigan case count by 7321 cases. However, its death toll of 3382 is far beyond the Michigan death toll of 6170 – the majority of which were in the metropolitan Detroit area.

Lucas County (Toledo area), Ohio, has had 4305 cases, 723 hospitalizations and 212 deaths just to the southeast of Lenawee County. Directly south, Fulton County, Ohio, has had 127 cases and no deaths; and to the southwest, Williams County, Ohio, has 110 cases and three deaths.

Updated 7-29-2020, 3:25 p.m.

For the second time this week, Michigan’s coronavirus death toll has been two for the day. The other day was Monday, June 15. The state’s total number of Covid-19 cases has reached 60,393 with 204 new cases today. The total deaths are 5792 today.

Lenawee County’s confirmed case count remains at 163 with another 36 probable cases. Two of the confirmed cases remain hospitalized. Of the confirmed cases, 18 are monitoring their symptoms at home and 137 have discontinued their isolation. Six Lenawee women have died of the virus. Of the probable cases, all but three have been released from isolation and the three continue to monitor their symptoms at home.

Nearby, Hillsdale County remains at 170 cases – as it has since late May – and 25 deaths, which has been its toll since June 7. Jackson has had 466 confirmed cases and 29 deaths; Monroe County has had 498 cases since June 8 and 20 deaths since May 30. Washtenaw County has had 1389 cases and 101 deaths with no new fatalities since June 6.

The Detroit area has seen a significant drop in both new cases and deaths, going now two, four and sometimes six days without a new fatality.

Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she will release Michigan’s Return to School Roadmap on June 30 regarding the potential for a return to school this fall.

In Ohio, there have been 39,303 confirmed deaths and 2377 deaths. Lucas County (Toledo area) has the third-highest death rate in Ohio with 289 deaths from its 2462 cases and 606 hospitalizations. Williams County, south of Lenawee, has had 59 cases, six hospitalizations and one deaths, while Fulton has had 53 cases and seven hospitalizations with no fatalities.

The Lenawee County Health Department reported the county’s six death from the coronavirus today on its website. Actually, the state of Michigan reported it in its June 8 report.

According to Martha Hall of the health department, the fatality was a 66-year-old female “with underlying health conditions related to increased Covid-19 complications. Each of the deaths here since March have been in females.

The number of cases remained today at 158 cases, however, with 80 males and 78 females having been found to have confirmed coronavirus during this pandemic period. Two remain hospitalized and 26 people are still monitoring their symptoms at home, but 124 people have now discontinued monitoring, which represents an addition of two people over the past 24 hours.

In addition, there have been 33 probable cases. Figures have not changed in several days and all of these cases are no longer monitoring at home and have been allowed to discontinue the monitoring process.

Around the area, Hillsdale remains at 170 cases, as it has for several days with 25 deaths. It did see an additional death Monday. Monroe County remains at 496 cases with 20 deaths, its death toll having been static for several days as well. Jackson County has had 461 cases and 29 deaths; and Washtenaw County has 1353 cases – and increase of two today – and 101 deaths.

Statewide, the total number of confirmed cases has risen to 59,107 with 5698 deaths. Today, there were 108 new cases (a reduction from 129 Monday) and 25 deaths (up from 17 Monday and 4 Sunday).

In Ohio, the total confirmed cases has reached 36,355 with 2196 confirmed deaths. Lucas County, home of Toledo, Ohio, has had 2372 cases, 582 hospitalizations and 267 total deaths. Fulton County, to the south of Lenawee, reports 51 cases and seven hospitalizations; and Williams County, located southwest of Lenawee County, has had 58 cases, five hospitalizations and one fatality.

In an evening meeting Tuesday, June 2, the Blissfield River Raisin Festival committee postponed the 37th Annual Blissfield River Raisin Festival until July 2021. The committee has issued the following statement from Rick Allen, president: 

     “After much consideration and soul searching, it is with great sadness that the Blissfield River Raisin Festival Committee is announcing the postponement of the 37th annual River Raisin Festival to July 8-10, 2021. This postponement is due, in part, to maintaining the health and safety of our many thousands of visitors throughout the weekend. There is also much uncertainty that remains around the coronavirus (Covid-19) and the timing of the opening of our state for fairs and festivals.
     “Our sympathies go out to the many vendors, entertainers, our carnival company and the community as a whole. We also would like to thank our valued sponsors for their support. Our festival would not be able to operate without them. We were expecting an exceptional festival this year, and we will continue to put that effort into the 2021 Blissfield River Raisin Festival.”

The festival is still hosting its annual golf outing on Sunday, June 14, at The Legacy Golf Course with a 7:30 a.m. registration and shot-gun start at 8:30 a.m. Teams are still needed. The registration form can be found a riverraisinfestival.org or received by emailing advance@cass.net.

  The fifth Lenawee County fatality from the coronavirus was reported in the Lenawee County Health Department figures Thursday afternoon.
     However, the state figures from Wednesday did prove to be wrong for Lenawee leaving the county at 155 cases today for third day in a row. For several days before that, the total count had been 154 positive cases since the first was confirmed in March.
Those who have had or still have Covid-19 include 79 males and 76 females. Three people are hospitalized at this time, with 27 monitoring their symptoms at home and 120 who have discontinued isolation.
     In addition, there has been no change in the “probable” county cases with 34 total – 12 males and 22 females, none of whom are hospitalized or monitoring their symptoms at home. Thirty-three have been released from isolation.

Meanwhile, Michigan reported 284 new daily cases of the coronavirus and 21 deaths on Friday, June 5.

Blissfield’s Hope and Encouragement for Humanity, supported by the Blissfield Fire Department and the Old Road Dinner Train, will distribute FREE milk Saturday, June 6, from noon to  3 p.m.  in the Dinner Train parking lot, U.S. 223 in Blissfield.

HEH has 5,000 gallons of 2 percent milk to give away, no questions asked. This is a no-contact pickup, so recipients are asked to please stay in their vehicle and volunteers will load the milk for them. Recipients may request up to 15 gallons.

News release from michigan.gov 5-26-2020

LANSING – A new, online dashboard launched this week that visually illustrates COVID-19 risks and trends in Michigan, providing residents with important information about the pandemic status where they live and work. 

Developed through a collaboration between the Michigan departments of Health and Human Services and Labor and Economic Opportunity and the University of Michigan, dashboard data is divided into Michigan Economic Recovery Committee (MERC) regions. 

MERC regions were developed by merging Michigan’s Emergency Preparedness Regions and Michigan’s labor sheds – the major areas of the state where people live and travel to work based on U.S. Department of Labor data – so that any outbreak resulting from a return to work could be handled effectively under public health laws. 

“The most important thing we can do right now is listen to the experts and follow the medical science,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Our first responders have put their lives on the line during this crisis, and we owe it to them to get this right. This dashboard will provide us with the data we need to assess risk in different regions of the state so we can re-engage our economy safely and deliberately, while working to minimize the risk of a second wave of infections. The whole goal here is to help ensure we keep more people healthy and out of hospitals.” 

The COVID-19 data displayed on the dashboard represents publicly available case, death and test data analyzed to determine overall level of risk and key trends. Graphs, numbers and trends provide a snapshot of how much virus is in a community, and whether it is increasing or decreasing. 

Risk levels were developed by MDHHS and the U-M School of Public Health using guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, national Guidelines for Opening America and several other leading national organizations.  

“The risk levels tell us whether there is high, medium or low risk of COVID-19 spread in a community and can help highlight areas where more social distancing may be needed, or where vulnerable individuals should be particularly careful,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health.  

The dashboard, designed and created by faculty at U-M School of Information and School of Public Health, presents risk and capacity indicators that inform implementation of the MI Safe Start Plan. These indicators fall into three categories: epidemic spread, health system capacity and public health capacity. Each indicator displays a level of risk. These indicators, along with other epidemiologic information, inform the overall risk level for a region. It also incorporates on-the-ground knowledge, such as whether new cases of COVID-19 are localized to a single outbreak or represent community-wide spread.  

“The U-M team is very excited to build this dashboard for the people and State of Michigan,” said Sharon Kardia, Ph.D., Associate Dean at U-M School of Public Health. “This precision public health dashboard is very unique as it clearly shows everyone why some regions can open up more rapidly than others.” 

In addition to these risk and capacity indicators, other considerations such as the availability of mitigation measures, the risk posed by certain activities and other economic factors also inform decisions under the MI Safe Start Plan.   

New online dashboard provides COVID-19 risk and trend data, helps inform MI Safe Start plan 

To learn more, visit MiStartMap.info.