Michigan adds $150 million to coronavirus (COVID-19) response as cases increase

State confirms 6,498 coronavirus cases

LANSING, Mich. – From the number of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and deaths to the equipment Michigan needs to fight the outbreak, Monday’s state update wasn’t a step in the right direction.

UPDATE -- MARCH 30, 2020: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 6,498; Death toll now at 184

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed several executive orders Monday, including a hiring and spending freeze for the state. She also expanded absentee voting -- in fact, she said she’d like everyone to vote by mail on May 5.

READ: Michigan dedicates additional $150M to coronavirus response efforts

Whitmer also went back through the budget with legislative leaders to make some line-items vetoes to save money.

From the medical side, it was again a warning not to take the stay-at-home order lightly. Whitmer said children should not be playing with neighbors, and there shouldn’t be any extended family gatherings.

She did not, however, extend the state’s stay-at-home order. It’s still active through April 13.

You hear from the governor in Jason Colthorp’s full story in the video posted above.


About the Authors

Jason is Local 4’s utility infielder. In addition to anchoring the morning newscast, he often reports on a variety of stories from the tragic, like the shootings at Michigan State, to the off-beat, like great gas station food.

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.

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