Positive tests for COVID-19 have risen to eight in Midland County since the first case was reported March 19, according to the Midland Daily News. It still remains to be seen whether quarantine conditions will correlate to an increase in domestic violence in the county.
After the first COVID-19 case was announced, state Rep. Roger Hauck (R-Union Township) urged Midland residents to take appropriate measures to prevent further spread of the virus.
“Our local health care officials are working round-the-clock to contain the virus and protect Midland County families,” Hauck told Michigan House Republicans. “We can all do our part to help prevent further spread by using effective preventive measures like frequent hand washing with soap, cleaning high-traffic surfaces and staying home as much as possible, especially if feeling sick.”
Hauck touted his support for the $150 million in state spending in response to the new coronavirus.
“The plan will provide $50 million for emergent needs like virus monitoring and testing, $50 million to expand capacity for critical health care providers and $50 million in additional reserves,” he explained.
However, the efforts to protect public health may have unintended side effects, suggests MLive.
From March 12 to March 18, even before any new coronavirus cases had been recorded, the county already had 12 domestic violence complaints reported for review by the Midland County Prosecutor’s Office. MLive says five of those complaints were for felony charges.
Prosecutor J. Dee Brooks told MLive the numbers were high for a period outside of holidays or warmer months. “We would typically average approximately four complaints a week,” she said. “Both the number and severity of the complaints is very concerning.”
The same week last year had six total cases submitted for review.
“In times of added stress, and especially when people are being directed to limit travel as much as possible, this can create unusually difficult situations in the home,” Brooks said. “Excessive use of alcohol and other drugs do not help the situation.”
In Bay County, Prosecutor Nancy E. Borushko said her office has not yet seen an increase in domestic violence cases that correlates to the new coronavirus situation.
Bay County Jail Administrator Troy A. Stewart said he hasn't noticed more arrests related to domestic violence since the COVID-19 crisis started. “We’re a little concerned with people being at home and out of work, but hopefully we don’t have a spike in domestic violence,” Stewart commented to MLive.
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