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State Says COVID-19 Cases Up To 54, KPS Offering Meal Service

WMUK

Michigan health officials say the number of COVID-19 cases in the state has reached 54.  The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Friday night that nine more adults have tested positive for the disease caused by the coronavirus. Saturday the state said eight more adults tested presumptive positive. (Note: This story was updated Monday March 16th at 7:30 p.m.)

The postive test results announced Saturday were all in Southeast Michigan. The cases announced Friday night also came mostly from Southeast Michigan, as well as one in Bay County and one in Charlevoix County. 

Kalamazoo County's Health and Community Services Departmentsays it has submitted 16 test samples to the state. Two have come back negative. So far, there have not been any positive test results for COVID-19 in Kalamazoo County. The county activated its call center on Friday. It can be reached at 269-373-5267 seven days a week from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services call center operates during the same hours, and can be reached at 888-535-6136

While schools throughout Michigan remain closed due to the pandemic, the Kalamazoo Public School district will continue offering meal service to KPS students.

Kalamazoo school officials say students will receive two days of meals on Monday and Wednesday and three days of meals on Friday at 20 schools and four community sites beginning march 16th through April 3rd.

Meanwhile Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive order limiting visitors at hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities. The Gongwer News Service says the executive order bars anyone not necessary for medical care, support of activities of daily living.

On Sunday, Governor Whitmer issued an executive order making it a crime to excessively hike prices to take advantage of the COVID-19 outbreak. Businesses that suddenly boost prices by 20 percent would face sanctions under the order. Michigan Attorney Genera Dana Nessel says her office will aggressively enforce the order. Violators face fines of up to $500 and 90 days in jail.

Kalamazoo County's government is closing all of its buildings to the public because of the corona virus outbreak. The closure takes effect at 5 p.m. Monday, March 16. After that, officials say people who need to do business with the county should do it on the phone, by email, or regular mail. Kalamazoo County commissioners will hold their regular meeting Tuesday, March 17, but residents will have to watch it on cable TV or online. The county is also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwdQk9UZCdM">activating its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate response to the pandemic. It will also give the county access to state and federal resources.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered all bars and restaurants in Michigan to close by 3 p.m. on Monday, March 16. Take-out service can continue, however. Another order limits the number of people gathered together to 50 or less. That's in line with the latest advice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Gordon Evans became WMUK's Content Director in 2019 after more than 20 years as an anchor, host and reporter. A 1990 graduate of Michigan State, he began work at WMUK in 1996.
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