Daily reported COVID-19 deaths went down significantly from Friday to Saturday, April 18, with less than 800 new cases being reported through the state for the third day in a row.

Meanwhile, 17 residents at a nursing home reportedly died of COVID-19 and a major retailer ordered its employees to start wearing masks at work

Below is a look at the most recent coronavirus developments.

New Michigan coronavirus cases of 633 is daily low for month of April

The number of new COVID-19 cases reported by the state of Michigan have come in at less than 800 for the fourth day in a row.

Figures released Sunday, April 19, by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services show 633 new cases reported, more than 100 less than the 768 cases on Saturday and 760 on Friday.

Sunday’s numbers raise the total COVID-19 cases in Michigan to 31,424, with 2,391 deaths.

Daily Michigan coronavirus deaths at lowest level since early April

Data shows there were 81 new deaths for Saturday, April 18, down from 134 deaths the previous day. The new cases were at 768 for Saturday, up only slightly from 760 on Friday.

Michigan now has 2,308 deaths attributed to COVID-19 and 30,791 cases.

The 81 new deaths for Saturday was the lowest daily total since 77 new deaths on April 5.

Eastern Michigan University students, professors making masks, face shields for health care workers

People across the country have been creating face shields and masks for health care workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak, and about 100 Eastern Michigan University community members are also getting in on the effort.

Students, faculty and staff at EMU are helping make personal protective equipment for St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital and other local institutions that have essential workers, according to Decky Alexander, a professor and director of academic programs at Engage@EMU.

‘Changes need to be made soon before it’s too late,’ Michigan House Speaker tells Gov. Whitmer

Michigan’s speaker of the House of Representatives is calling on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to revise the state’s current stay-at-home order in a letter that offers three actions she can take to help reopen the state.

Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, sent the letter to Whitmer’s office Saturday, April 18, suggesting how the order, which has closed non-essential businesses in an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19, can be improved so workers can get back on the job, while still keeping people safe.

“Though we disagree with many aspects of your recent orders, we still appreciate your service to our state and you performing your duties the best that you can," Chatfield wrote. "We do, however, believe that several changes need to be made soon before it’s too late.”

Kent County judge defends order allowing emergency detainments for coronavirus reasons

A Kent County judge has come under criticism for issuing an order earlier this month that allows authorities to detain people up to 24 hours if they are believed ill from COVID-19 and refuse to isolate themselves.

The order, issued by Kent County Chief Circuit Court Judge Mark Trusock, has never been used since it was signed April 6 and officials do not expect it will be needed.

It simply allows for police or a health officer to involuntarily detain someone for up to 24 hours who shows signs of COVID-19 illness with a fever, has already tested positive in the last seven days or is awaiting test results. The person also must be unwilling to isolate themselves.

Walmart, Sam’s Club employees being required to wear face masks to work

Walmart and Sam’s Club have announced that all employees are being required to wear face masks to work starting Monday, April 20, in an effort to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The retail giants announced the decision Friday, April 17, in a letter sent to employees from Walmart President/CEO John Furner and Sam’s Club President/CEO Kath McLay.

“We have evolved our policy on face coverings from optional to mandatory as public health guidance has shifted," Furner and McLay wrote in the letter posted to the Walmart website.

Canadian border restrictions extended another month due to coronavirus pandemic

The border between Canada and the United States will remain closed to non-essential travel for another 30 days due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Saturday.

The prime minister said the travel ban extension, made in agreement between both countries, will stay in place for “many, many weeks to come,” the Associated Press reported April 18.

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Rite Aid to open 3 self-swab coronavirus testing sites in Michigan

Rite Aid pharmacy stores are opening three more COVID-19 testing sites in Michigan.

They are at 715 S. Main St. in Eaton Rapids, 9090 Miller Road in Swartz Creek, and 46977 Romeo Plank Road in Macomb.

The self-swab sites are opening in a partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The tests will be administered in each store’s parking lot and overseen by pharmacists.

Michigan Nursery association joins lawsuit fray against Whitmer’s coronavirus stay-home orders

The Michigan Nusery and Landscape Association has joined a host of other groups and individuals to recently file lawsuits against Whitmer for her stay-at-home orders in the coronavirus crisis.

The lawsuit was filed Friday, April 17, in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids and seeks both an emergency injunction and compensation for “unconstitutional takings” because outdoor businesses deemed non-essential were forced to temporarily close.

Attorneys for the association and several other plaintiffs to the lawsuit complain that Whitmer’s order is not being applied fairly.

Clio nursing home has 17 residents die of coronavirus

More than a dozen residents of a Clio nursing home have died of COVID-19, officials report.

In a statement issued Saturday, April 18, executives of Maple Woods Manor, 13137 N. Clio Road, said 17 residents have died of the virus. An additional 24 residents have tested positive for coronavirus, seven of whom are hospitalized. Twenty-six employees have likewise tested positive.

The health department had previously confirmed that all 15 nursing homes in the county have seen coronavirus cases.

Days after celebratory discharge from hospital, 79-year-old coronavirus patient dies

On Easter Sunday, a couple days after 79-year-old Cathy Yeaw was discharged from a Grand Rapids hospital and on the mend from COVID-19, she chatted through a video link with her children.

“She sounded very coherent. She was alert and talking. She couldn’t wait to go home,” daughter Marie Moran said of her mom, who was in a rehabilitation hospital at the time.

But just three days later, Yeaw’s condition took a turn for the worse. She died late Wednesday, April 15.

Detroit releases ZIP Code map of coronavirus cases

The hardest-hit area in Michigan for coronavirus COVID-19 cases and deaths is now showing the cases by ZIP Code and heat maps. The map was unveiled late Friday, April 17.

According to the state Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit has 7,414 cases and 582 deaths.

Michigan prisoner dies from coronavirus weeks away from parole after being locked up 44 years

A Wayne County man sentenced to life in prison as a 16-year-old would’ve walked free this month after spending four decades locked away. But just weeks away from his parole, he died of coronavirus.

William Garrison, 60, died Monday, April 13, after being sent to the hospital from the Macomb Correctional Facility. Prison officials said they learned Friday, April 17, that a postmortem test confirmed he had the novel coronavirus.

Coronavirus infections rise to 47 residents, workers at Shiawassee County senior center in Durand

Numbers of residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 at a Shiawassee County senior center are continuing to rise.

The Shiawassee County Health Department on the evening of Friday, April 17, confirmed an additional 28 people have tested positive for coronavirus at Durand Senior Care and Rehab, 8750 Monroe Road in Durand. This brings the total of confirmed infections at the facility to 47, which includes 26 residents, 21 employees.

No more extensions on stay-at-home order as is, senate majority leader says

Wisconsin has extended its stay-at-home order through May 26, but don’t expect Michigan to do the same, Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey said Friday.

Michigan will likely have some form of restrictions beyond April 30 – which is the current expiration date for the state’s stay-at-home order, said Shirkey, R-Clark Lake. The senator took questions during a online discussion with the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce on Friday, April 17.

Read all of MLive’s coverage on the coronavirus at mlive.com/coronavirus.

Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.

Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.

Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, counter tops) and when you go into places like stores.