At a Glance ...

State officials require faster reporting of COVID-19 deaths

LANSING (AP) — State officials issued an emergency order designed to speed up the reporting of COVID-19 deaths in Michigan as the number of cases continued to surge.

The Department of Health and Human Services issued a directive over the weekend for funeral directors and medical professionals.

Under the order, funeral directors have 24 hours to initiate a death record and and submit it to the attending physician.

Doctors have to attempt to certify the record within 24 hours of receipt, among other things.

The idea was to let public health officials more accurately understand the impact and help take action on public health measures. The order took effect immediately.

“To inform sound decision-making and protect Michiganders, public health officials need accurate information about COVID-19 deaths as quickly as possible," Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon said in statement.

By Sunday, Michigan reported over 15,700 cases of COVID-19 with 617 deaths. That included 77 new deaths reported Sunday, of which 27 were in Detroit.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

Older adults and people with existing health problems are among those particularly susceptible to more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover.


Appeals court rules law favors fired university custodian

DETROIT (AP) — Wayne State University is not immune to a Michigan law that grants job protections to veterans, a federal appeals court said.

The court recently affirmed a decision that requires Wayne State to rehire Charles Rudolph, a custodian who was accused of missing assignments and fired in 2015.

Rudolph, a U.S. Army veteran, sued the university, saying he was entitled to a hearing under a law that gives protections to veterans who work for public employers. An arbitrator agreed that Rudolph's rights were violated and said he should be reinstated.

U.S. District Judge Arthur Tarnow signed the order.

Wayne State argued that it's not covered by the veterans law because the Michigan Constitution gives it authority to manage its affairs.
The appellate court said, however, that position doesn't mesh with previous legal rulings.


State: Most permits to openly burn yard debris are suspended

LANSING (AP) — State officials are reminding residents that permits to openly burn yard debris remain suspended across most of Michigan and that the dangers of fire are increasing as temperatures warm.

Recent fires, including a 21-acre blaze wildfire in Presque Isle County, have been caused by backyard debris burning, according to Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources.

DNR firefighters also have stopped conducting prescribed burns at this time.

Campfires for recreation and warming, as well as some agricultural burning, still are allowed.

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