Much of the economic data collected in the second half of March do not yet reflect the extent of the effects of the COVID-19 fallout, and yet the economic situation in West Michigan has seldom looked so grim. 

The COVID-19 pandemic will take a fast bite of more than $3 billion out of West Michigan’s economic output, driving the region into recession along with the rest of the country.

KALAMAZOO — Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo asked for emergency approval Wednesday to add 105 beds in anticipation of a surge in COVID-19 patients.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s latest executive order grants hospitals and other care providers greater flexibility in how they use staff and students to treat COVID-19 patients.

GRAND RAPIDS — Spectrum Health has moved beds and equipment into Grand Valley State University’s Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences in preparation for a surge in patients from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The mandated closing today of restaurants, bars and other businesses will contribute to a shallow economic downturn for the West Michigan economy. 

As progressive political advocates seek lower state income tax rates for most Michigan residents while higher earners pay more for infrastructure needs, the state’s leading business group is bracing for a highly contentious political campaign.

Economists at Comerica Inc. now expect the U.S. economy to possibly dip negative for the second quarter as a fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.

Colleges and universities from coast to coast are moving rapidly to close campuses and transition to virtual classrooms in lieu of face-to-face meetings as the spread of COVID-19 has transformed into a global pandemic. 

After announcing Michigan’s first two presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 on March 10, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration released a series of “community mitigation strategies” that span the state’s economy and population to prevent the spread of the virus.