Mayor Duggan's COVID-19 Update - May 1, 2020

City of Detroit, Michigan sent this bulletin at 05/01/2020 05:55 PM EDT

Crews Make Progress on DWSD Installation of Tiger Dam on Detroit’s Lower East Side

The City of Detroit expects to complete installation of a $3-million temporary dam along the Detroit River and canal seawalls on the lower east side by mid-May. Mayor Mike Duggan and Palencia Mobley, Deputy Director of the Water & Sewerage Department, gave an update on the project at the daily COVID-19 briefing May 1.

With water levels expected to be higher than last year, the dam is a preventive measure to reduce flooding of homes and streets and protect the Conner Creek wet weather treatment facility from being overwhelmed.

The Tiger Dam™ System consists of elongated flexible tubes that can be stacked as high as 32 feet, joined end to end for miles, and filled with water. The tubes form a barrier to protect property when flooding occurs. When flooding subsides, the tubes are then drained of water, which flows back into the river. The tubes then can be rolled up and reused.

The installation project involves a team of City employees, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and contractors. The Mayor pointed out that the team is following the City’s COVID-19 safe workplace policy.

City to Receive 350,000 Masks and 100,000 Goggles from NBA Owners Tom Gores and Joe Tsai

The Detroit Pistons organization, headed by owner Tom Gores, teamed up with Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai to deliver 350,000 KN95 masks and 100,000 medical goggles to the City of Detroit in the ongoing fight against COVID-19. The masks and goggles, donated by the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation, will be distributed to testing centers and homeless shelters, and to frontline workers in the City’s transportation and police departments. The Pistons organization assisted with logistics for the donation.

Mayor Mike Duggan made the announcement at his daily COVID-19 briefing April 30. Tsai appeared via Skype from Hong Kong for the announcement. He serves as the executive vice chairman of Alibaba Group, the global Internet technology company.

Both owners have been very active in supporting COVID-19 relief efforts, procuring PPE and other critical supplies. The Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation has made donations of PPE and ventilators to hospitals in New York, New Jersey and California. Gores recently purchased and delivered 100,000 surgical-grade masks for the City of Detroit to support first responders and City workers, among several other initiatives.

COVID - Water Restorations Still Available

Appointments Still Needed for Testing at State Fairgrounds, City Offers Detroiters Access to Doctors and $2 Rides

COVID - Appointments Needed for Testing at Fairgrounds

Detroiters with COVID-19 symptoms can get tested for free even if they don’t have a primary care physician, health insurance, or a car.

Detroit physician offices are now accepting new patients for Detroiters without insurance or a primary care physician. Once a person has a doctor’s prescription and appointment time, they can get a ride for $2 to the State Fairgrounds in a safe, sanitary vehicle through IntelliRide.

The free testing will continue at the Fairgrounds through early May with roughly 1000 tests being administered daily.

For more information on how to get an appointment for COVID-19 testing at the State Fairgrounds, go to detroitmi.gov/coronavirus.

Violators of the Governor’s executive orders to stay home, practice physical distancing and avoid public gatherings
could be fined up to $1000.

COVID Detroit Health Department Resources

Health Department Hotline

Keeping Detroit residents healthy and safe is the number one priority of the Detroit Health Department. Call (313) 876-4000 for guidance 24/7 on next steps if you are:

A healthcare provider with a possible COVID-19 positive patient
An individual who suspects they have COVID-19

If you have other questions or need additional information, call the hotline, send an email to dhdoutbreak@detroitmi.gov or go online to detroitmi.gov/coronavirus.

You can also visit:

U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at https://www.cdc.gov/
State of Michigan at http://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus

Meals Available for Detroit Families and Seniors
For information on locations, go to detroitmi.gov/food.

Need Your Water Turned On?
During the COVID-19 outbreak, Detroiters living in households with no water service can sign up for the Water Restart Plan to restore service and keep their water flowing for only $25 per month. Thousands are already participating: sign up here!

Income Tax Deadline now July 15
The City of Detroit has pushed back the deadline for residents and non residents who must file City income taxes to July 15.

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