LANSING, MI -- The Michigan National Guard has been called up to assist the state in it’s effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer asked state National Guard to “assist the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services with assembling and loading critical personal protective gear, such as gloves, gowns, and face shields.”

MDHHS will then deliver the coronavirus-fighting supplies to health agencies across Michigan, said a statement issued by the Michigan Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division Wednesday evening.

“The Michigan National Guard has been involved with the COVID-19 response from a planning and coordination standpoint since the (State of Michigan Emergency Operations Center) was stood up,” Whitmer said. "The men and women of the Michigan National Guard are part of the fabric of our communities and I am confident they are ready to support state and local agencies as this response continues.”

The Michigan Army National Guard is a reservist unit that is part of the Michigan National Guard and dedicated to state concerns.

Michigan reported its first conavirus death Wednesday, March 18. Hours later, Whitmer said the number of confirmed cases in Michigan had surpassed 100.

“We had someone die today because of COVID-19,” Whitmer said. “There are other people that have been diagnosed, that are fighting for their lives.”

Whitmer expressed concerns over a lack of tests and resources to gauge the true impact of the virus so far.

“We don’t have enough tests,” Whitmer said. "We don’t have enough resources to process the tests ... We have set up our own state lab, which I am so grateful we did that.

" ... We are concerned about the system being overtaxed and we’re also concerned about not having enough tests to do all of the tests that we believe are necessary."

As of Tuesday, March 17, the Centers for Disease Control had recorded 7,038 cases and 97 deaths nationwide.

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Michigan’s first coronavirus fatality involved a man in his 50s who died at Beaumont Hospital in Wayne County Wednesday morning.

“Our medical team went to extraordinary efforts to care for this patient and we are deeply saddened by his passing and empathize with his family,” Beaumont Health Chief Nursing Officer Susan Grant said in a release. “Our physicians, nurses and medical staff are all working together to care for COVID-19 patients. During a time like this, we are united to battle this virus."

Beaumont Health reported that the man had other underlying medical conditions.

Of 15 new cases announced Wednesday, all arose in Metro Detroit’s Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.

Case data is released by MDHHS daily at 2 p.m. and includes any known cases through midnight of the day prior.

Wayne and Oakland counties have the most cases in Michigan so far, with 23 each. Men account for 55% of the cases and women 36% in cases where the sex was revealed.

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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

Michigan’s State Emergency Operations Center is coordinating state-government resources and the response to the coronavirus spread. It has shared the following tips:

What you can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases:

· Always cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.

· Stay home if you are sick and advise others to do the same.

· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

· Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

· Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if soap and warm water are not available.

· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces(computers, keyboards, desks, etc.).

· It’s not too late to get your flu shot! While the influenza vaccine does not protect against COVID-19 infection, it can help keep you healthy during the flu season.

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Read more on MLive:

Complete coverage at mlive.com/coronavirus

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