Whitmer is expected to speak on Friday about plans to extend Michigan's stay-at-home order and lockdown measures, which are due to expire April 30, until at least May 15.

The governor has already said that despite extending the stay-at-home measures, she is hoping to relax some restrictions to start reopening sectors of the economy. 

Michigan has the third-most reported deaths related to COVID-19 in the United States behind New York and New Jersey. The death toll in the state is currently more than 2,900 and there are nearly 34,000 infections.

The fatality rate in Michigan for COVID-19 is the highest in the country at 8.4 percent. Data that measures the rate of coronavirus spread from secondary infections has also indicated that a COVID positive person in the state will go on to infect one more person.

'There will be a need for an extension of some sort,' Whitmer said of the lockdown extension. 

'We know that even when we get to a stable moment, people who are compromised, who are vulnerable to COVID-19, are still going to need to stay home.

Republicans have been ramping up their criticism of Gov Whitmer in recent weeks and they've scheduled a session in the Michigan legislature on Friday.