COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency received notification on Wednesday of an additional death in Hillsdale County attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was the sixth Hillsdale County death that has been blamed on the virus. The Hillsdale Daily News reports there have been at least two deaths at the Hillsdale County Medical Care Facility and that ten other residents were being treated for COVID-19.
“Our heartfelt sympathies and prayers go out to the families who have lost their loved ones,” says Rebecca Burns, Health Officer. “Every additional positive case and death reminds us to all do what we can to stay home, stay healthy, and protect ourselves and those around us so that we can stop the spread of this virus.”
The C.H.A. reported four more COVID-19 cases in Branch County which brought the number of cases in the county outside of the Lakeland Correctional Facility up to 20. Positive cases continue to sky rocket in Hillsdale County where 63 were reported at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday as that county is now considered a COVID-19 hot spot for rural counties by the State of Michigan. Far fewer cases are being reported in St. Joseph County where the number of positive cases Wednesday was reported to be 16.
The Calhoun County Health Department reported 52 positive cases on Wednesday out of 379 tests with 248 coming back negative. Tests were pending on another 79 cases.
Total cases statewide, from data compiled by M.D.H.H.S. and released at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday show 20,346 statewide with 959 deaths attributed to COVID-19.
