KALAMAZOO REGION

KALAMAZOO, MI -- The homeless population in Kalamazoo is increasing, according to the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region. The most recent estimate of homeless individuals living in encampments was 175, which is an increase of 45 individuals since September’s estimate, said Sara Jacobs, director of the Kalamazoo County Continuum of Care. In response, the Kalamazoo County Continuum of Care, led by United Way, is funding new daytime and overnight shelters, according to a news release from the group. The homeless population has been a top priority for the county health department in its efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 within vulnerable communities. In August, Pastor Michael Brown, president and CEO of Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries, said the emergency shelter at the ministry was housing about 84% of Kalamazoo’s homeless population.

LANSING, Mich. – The state’s website was incorrect and the Detroit Region has not been moved into the “high risk” category for spreading the coronavirus (COVID-19), according to officials. “Detroit is NOT at a high risk level,” the state told ClickOnDetroit via email. Whitmer’s reopening planThe region is at or near 40 cases per million population on a seven-day average for more than a week. State officials upgraded the Detroit Region to “medium-high risk” July 8 when new cases were beginning to trend upward. The online map showed Detroit was in the “high risk” category as of Friday (see the screenshot above).

LANSING, Mich. – The risk level for four of Michigan’s eight geographical regions has been upgraded as the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases rises throughout the state. State officials have increased the risk level of the Detroit, Grand Rapids, Traverse City and Upper Peninsula regions. The seven-day rolling average of cases in the Detroit Region has risen to 22 per million population, which warrants medium-high risk. The 3% positive test rate is not yet at the medium-high risk level. Other regionsThe Kalamazoo and Jackson regions are still at the medium risk level, though data suggests they could be upgraded soon, according to the state.

LANSING, Mich. – The Detroit Region is now considered “medium-high risk” as the number of new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continues to increase throughout the state. Whitmer’s reopening plan“The Detroit Region has increased to the medium-high risk level based on case rate and percent positivity increases over three weeks,” the state says on its MI Safe Start map. The seven-day rolling average of cases in the Detroit Region has risen to 22 per million population, which warrants medium-high risk. The Traverse City Region and Upper Peninsula have seen increased case and positive test rates, so both are now considered medium risk. Before Wednesday’s update, the Lansing Region was considered high risk, the Grand Rapids Region was considered medium-high risk, the Detroit, Kalamazoo, Jackson and Saginaw regions were considered medium risk and the Upper Peninsula and Traverse City Region were considered low risk.