KALAMAZOO, MI — Those skilled with a sewing needle are being called on to lend a hand locally as the coronavirus pandemic continues to grow throughout the state and nation.

Anyone who has sewing ability is being asked by Kalamazoo County to help create and donate face masks that would be distributed to the community partners that work with high-risk individuals.

Examples of recipients would include first-responders, as well as those who work at hospitals, shelters, long-term care facilities and are involved in other businesses where human contact occurs regularly, according to a news release from the county.

“We know there is a supply shortage across the nation with masks and other PPE (personal protective equipment)," County Administrator Tracie Moored said. “This is a way that we can prepare now locally and have our community help us take action to protect our most vulnerable residents and our front-line workers.”

As of March 21, there were still no reported cases of coronavirus in Kalamazoo County. Of 56 tests submitted to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 22 had come back negative and 34 were still pending, according to information posted on the county website.

County officials expect that to most likely change soon.

Statewide, the number of reported coronavirus cases jumped to 787 on Saturday — an increase of 238 cases since Friday, according to data released by the MDHHS.

With four new deaths reported on Saturday, the statewide death total climbed to eight. West Michigan also had its first death as a result of the virus reported on Saturday — a man in his 70s who died in Kent County.

Visit the Kalamazoo County website for detailed instructions, types of acceptable fabrics and a pattern for creating masks.

Once complete, masks can be dropped off at the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department, located at 311 E. Alcott St. in Kalamazoo. Drop-off hours are between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Bronson Healthcare is also collecting homemade masks and other new/unused personal protective equipment at certain locations in Kalamazoo, Portage, Battle Creek, Paw Paw and South Haven. For more information on what is being accepted and where, visit www.bronsonhealth.com/coronavirus-covid-19.

Those who do not live in the Kalamazoo area and are able to help are encouraged to contact their local health departments to see if there is a present need for homemade masks near where they live.

Another resource people can turn to if they wish to help is a group that began in southeast Michigan on Friday called Mask Crafters. The group is quickly developing partners across the state and country and identifying where needs exist. For more information, please visit https://covidmaskcrafters.org/.

Read all of MLive’s up-to-date coverage on the coronavirus at mlive.com/coronavirus. Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

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