Update as of 6:30 p.m. on March 13: The special city council meeting was cancelled due to a lack of quorum. No other details have been released at this time.

Ypsilanti Mayor Beth Bashert has declared a citywide state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to a public notice made today, under the state of emergency, the city will be making “choices to protect the health of all our residents and visitors, with special attention to our most vulnerable residents including our elderly and people with pre-existing health conditions.” 

The Ypsilanti City Council will hold a special meeting at town hall on Friday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. regarding the procedures of the state of emergency. This was announced today in a public notice by the Ypsilanti City Clerk, Andrew Hallenga. 

During a state of emergency the mayor can request that the “state, its agencies or political subdivisions,” send aid if the emergency situation becomes “beyond the control of the regular and emergency city forces.” Furthermore, during the state of emergency the mayor can “command services and the use of equipment and facilities for such work and duties as the city may require” in order to aid the “regular and volunteer city forces in time of emergency.” In addition, the mayor can order disaster relief forces to the “aid of the state or political subdivisions.” 

There have now been 2 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washtenaw County and 12 total in Michigan.

A patient with a confirmed case of  COVID-19 is in-patient treatment at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor, Michigan as of March 11, according to the University of Michigan Health System website.

In response to the positive cases, Whitmer announced a state of emergency “in order to slow the spread of the virus,” the release states. The state of emergency has been in effect since Wednesday, March 11. 

The Eastern Echo reported that 33 EMU students and two EMU faculty members have returned from a study abroad trip to Italy and are currently in self-quarantine at their homes or permanent residences. Two of the students showed symptoms for the virus, however they both tested negative for COVID-19. Currently 27 COVID-19 patient tests are pending in the state. 91 patient tests in the state showed negative results for the virus. 150 Michigan residents are currently recommended for virus testing or monitoring are under active monitorization. 

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