Michigan Coronavirus Timeline
Feb. 28: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announces the state will activate its emergency operations center to prepare for potential coronavirus cases. The State of Michigan Emergency Operations Center is where state, local and federal agencies coordinate the response to a disaster, emergency or terrorist event.
March 10: Michigan confirms its first two COVID-19 cases on Election Day. Whitmer declares a state of emergency in response to the first cases.
March 11: After the first cases, the first big changes come from the state’s colleges, as most schools announce plans to either suspend class or move classes to an online format. Whitmer urges social distancing measures and community mitigation strategies.
March 12: Michigan officials announce 10 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 12.
March 13: Whitmer announces the closure of all Michigan K-12 schools from March 16-April 5, including public, private and boarding, in response to the confirmed cases. Michigan also bans all gatherings of 250 or more, and announced restrictions on visiting residential, health care and juvenile centers.
March 14: Michigan COVID-19 cases break the 30 mark. The Oakland County Health Division issues an order to reduce occupancy of all county establishments with a food service license, entertainment venues and physical fitness centers to 50 percent. Beaumont Health announces visitor restrictions.
March 15: Whitmer signs Executive Order 2020-8, which temporarily imposes enhanced restrictions on the excessive pricing of goods, materials, emergency supplies and consumer food items.
March 16: Whitmer issues an order to close all bars and restaurants dine-in, gyms, coffee houses, and most public places as COVID-19 cases total more than 50. Michigan expands unemployment to include those affected by the closures. Michigan also bans gatherings of 50 or more.
March 17: Michigan confirms its first COVID-19 related death. Cases break the 100 mark. The Michigan Legislature approves $125 million in aid.
March 18: Michigan’s Big Three automakers announce plans to shut down. Whitmer calls on the Army National Guard to help with getting coronavirus supplies.
March 19: As testing begins to ramp up, Michigan COVID-19 cases begin to spike, the state reports 254 new cases in one day, the biggest jump to date. Cases total 334 in the state. The death toll increases to three. Michigan makes loans available to small businesses.
March 20: Amid rumors of a lockdown, Whitmer says the state is “not there yet," and says rumors of martial law are false.
March 21: Whitmer closes all hair salons and similar services. The US-Canada border begins to close to non-essential traffic.
March 22: Michigan COVID-19 cases surpass 1,000, as the death toll rises to nine.
March 23: Whitmer issues a statewide stay-at-home order for all non-essential workers. The order is for at least the next three weeks. Individuals may only leave their home or place of residence under very limited circumstances. COVID-19 cases break 1,300, while the death toll rises to 15.
March 24: Michigan sees another big jump in cases, the biggest single-day jump to date, with 463 new cases and nine additional deaths, totaling nearly 1,800 cases and 24 deaths.
March 25: Michigan sees another record-breaking jump in cases and in deaths, with total cases jumping to nearly 2,300 and deaths totaling 43. Michigan has the fifth most cases in the country.
March 27: Michigan cases climb to 3,657 and the death toll spikes to 92. The state surpasses 11,000 total tests.
March 28: President Donald Trump approves Michigan’s Disaster Declaration: The president’s action makes federal funding available for crisis counseling for affected individuals in all areas in the State of Michigan. Michigan cases total 4,650: The number of confirmed cases in Michigan has risen to 4,650, including 111 deaths.
March 30: Michigan’s death toll jumps in biggest-one day increase yet, totaling 184. Testing breaks 22,000 mark. Michigan decides to cancel the remainder of the school year.
April 2: Whitmer has officially suspended in-person learning for the rest of the school year at K-12 schools across the state.
April 8: The number of confirmed cases in Michigan rises to 20,346, including 959 deaths.
April 9: Whitmer announces the extension of the state’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order to at least the end of April. Whitmer signs executive order 2020-42, extending the order through April 30. Whitmer creates the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities. Over 40 percent of COVID-19 deaths in Michigan are African Americans, but only 14 percent of Michiganders are African Americans.
April 15: Whitmer establishes procedures in long-term care facilities to protect the health and safety of both their employees and residents. Governors Whitmer, Tony Evers (WI), and Tom Wolf (PA) send a letter to President Trump requesting that he work quickly with Congress to support additional resources for all states and localities so that they can address budgetary shortfalls that have resulted from the COVID-19 crisis.
April 16: Governors Whitmer, Mike DeWine (OH), Tony Evers (WI), Tim Walz (MN), JB Pritzker (IL), Eric Holcomb (IN) and Andy Beshear (KY) announce that they will work in close coordination to reopen the economy in the Midwest region.
April 17: Whitmer announces the “ Stay Home, Stay Mindful” website in partnership with Headspace, a global leader in mindfulness and meditation, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to provide a new mental health resource for Michiganders to access for free during the COVID-19 pandemic facing both the state and nation. Cases reach 29,263, with 2,093 deaths.