(LANSING) – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has once again extended her emergency and disaster declaration for the State of Michigan.

After every region in the state saw an uptick in new COVID-19 cases over the past three weeks, Whitmer on Tuesday signed Executive Order 2020-151, which extends the emergency and disaster declaration until August 11 at 11:59 PM.

Whitmer says with over 6,000 Michiganders having died from COVID-19, and the rising number of cases, this virus is still a very real threat in the state. She says she extended the emergency declaration using independent sources of statutory authority to continue saving lives and ensuring the brave men and women on the front lines of this crisis have the tools they need.

Whitmer says while the vast majority of Michiganders have done their part during this crisis, we must remain vigilant and continue to do everything we can to protect our loved ones. That means wearing a mask over your mouth and nose and practicing safe physical distancing when going out in public.

The severe economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to mount. The State of Michigan has seen its highest unemployment rate since the Great Depression. The Michigan Department of Treasury predicts that this year, the State will lose between $1 and $3 billion in revenue.