Coronavirus live updates, March 26: Whitmer requests major disaster declaration from FEMA

Mar. 26--Here's the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the Detroit area and around Michigan.

What you need to know

-- Coronavirus: Map of Michigan cases to date

-- Coronavirus symptoms to look for, how to get help

-- Where to get free food in metro Detroit

-- Mental health: How to cope during the coronavirus crisis

-- How you can help others

-- Here's who is hiring

Highland Park police chief hospitalized with coronavirus

Hilton Napoleon, 66, has been hospitalized for two weeks with COVID-19, his brother, Benny Napoleon, confirmed Thursday.

Hilton Napoleon has been improving slowly, according to his brother, but has been in the hospital since March 13 due to worsening symptoms and is still very sick. Benny Napoleon and his family have not spoken to Hilton since March 15, receiving updates from Henry Ford Hospital workers, who Benny said have been very accommodating.

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13 Michigan prisoners now positive for COVID-19

Thirteen state prisoners and one parolee have now tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the latest figures released by the Michigan Department of Corrections.

As of Thursday afternoon, the department has reported the following confirmed cases:

-- Parnall Correctional Facility near Jackson: 7 prisoners

-- Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater: 2 prisoners

-- Newberry Correctional Facility in Newberry: 1 prisoner

-- Woodland Center Correctional Facility in Whitmore Lake: 1 prisoner

-- Macomb Correctional Facility in Lenox Township: 1 prisoner

-- Kinross Correctional Facility in Kincheloe: 1 prisoner

Two employees at the Detroit Reentry Center have been diagnosed with COVID-19, bringing the number of Michigan Department of Corrections employees with positive tests to five, department spokesman Chris Gautz said Thursday.

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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer requests major disaster declaration for Michigan

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Thursday she has sent a request to President Donald Trump for a major disaster declaration for Michigan.

If the request is granted in full, it will help the state provide meals, rental assistance and temporary housing, mental health therapy and counseling, and "much-needed additional capacity" as the state's health care system struggles to keep up with the expanding coronavirus pandemic in Michigan, Whitmer said at a news conference.

Whitmer came under fire from Republicans and others Wednesday after the Free Press revealed the state had not yet made a request for a major disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

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Ford issues restart dates for some US plants as soon as April 6

Ford Motor Co. is aiming to restart production at select plants in North America as early as April 6, the automaker said Thursday.

Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced they would tentatively idle their North American factories last week to protect workers' health amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement, Ford said it plans to bring its key plants back up and put more safety measures in place to protect returning workers.

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Meanwhile Ford CEO Jim Hackett notified all employees in writing Thursday morning that the company would freeze executive pay wages in a strategy that could lead to massive pay cuts at the top.

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Distilleries pivot from whiskey to hand sanitizer in wake of coronavirus shortage

Detroit City Distillery's Michael Forsyth hasn't yet had a chance to fully consider the impact the coronavirus will have on his business and community.

Instead, he's been compelled to take action in an unexpected way: producing hand sanitizer in bulk for hospitals, first responders and government entities.

Distilleries across the region such as Ann Arbor Distilling Co., Ugly Dog Distillery in Chelsea, and Birmingham's Griffin Claw Brewing Co. in Birmingham are making hand sanitizer either in place of or in addition to spirits and beer. Some are offering it free to community members, while others are selling or requesting donations for customers buying in bulk.

"I've never worked this hard in my life," said Forsyth. "As a small local distillery, I'd never think to be on frontlines of this stuff. For us, despite it being a difficult time, it feels good we have a role to play."

After receiving a call from the Detroit Police Department asking for hand sanitizer, Forsyth and his team sprung into action and began producing the disinfectant. Demand skyrocketed from there. Forsyth said by the end of this week he expects to produce 1,700 gallons of hand sanitizer, and will make an additional 5,000-7,000 gallons in the weeks to come. At approximately 1,920 uses per gallon, that could add up to as much as 13,440,000 uses.

"It's been one of the most empowering, tragic and exhilarating past few days of my life," Forsyth said.

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Matthew Stafford, wife Kelly donate meals to hospital workers

Along with free meals for hospital workers, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and his wife, Kelly, are donating $100,000 to help provide food to those in need because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The donations will be divided between two local groups, Forgotten Harvest, which delivers food to local charities, and the Detroit Public Schools, which is providing meals to students impacted by COVID-19.

On Tuesday, Kelly Stafford reached out to several local restaurants to coordinate meal donations for hospital workers and first responders at the front line of fighting the pandemic.

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Michigan employees forced to work amid coronavirus crisis: We're not an essential service

For countless people across the state who work in businesses that remain open during the coronavirus pandemic, there is disappointment, dismay and a genuine fear. "I'm getting a little more afraid," said a Detroit area UPS driver. The virus can live on cardboard, including boxes, for up to 24 hours.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made some exceptions when she issued a stay-at-home order in an attempt to stem the spread of COVID-19. All businesses, she said, are to remain closed through April 13 and employees sent home -- unless they are essential to sustain or protect life.

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