GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan (WOOD) – Michigan has reported 7,819 more confirmed coronavirus cases and 73 related deaths as the state’s third wave continues.
Deaths announced Thursday, 43 were discovered during a review of death certificates to count those that had not previously been reported to the state. These checks are carried out three times a week.
In all, Michigan has now had 723,297 confirmed cases of the virus since it was first detected here in March 2020 and 16,400 related deaths.
On Wednesday, labs tested 56,299 samples for the virus and 8,259 were positive. The number of positive tests is not the same as the number of new cases because people can be tested more than once. Additionally, test counts are from a single calendar date, while the number of new cases indicates the increase since the state last compiled the data; these two deadlines do not correspond precisely.
Wednesday’s positive test rate was 14.67%. That marked a drop of more than 3 percentage points from the day before, but the state also tested nearly 16,650 more samples on Wednesday than the day before. The change in the positivity rate is usually inversely proportional to the change in the number of tests performed – as the number of samples increases, the positivity rate should decrease.
Kent County has recorded five additional deaths for a total of 697 and confirmed 356 additional cases for a total of 55,910.
Deaths have also been added in several other counties in western Michigan:
- Berrien County: Two other deaths for a total of 235; 12,119 confirmed cases in total since the start of the pandemic.
- Branch County: one additional death for 85 in total; 3,755 cases in total.
- Calhoun County: one additional death for a total of 234; 10,138 cases in total.
- Kalamazoo County: one additional death for a total of 293; 16,204 cases in total.
- Montcalm County: One more death for 90 in total; 3,978 cases in total.
- Van Buren County: one additional death for 91 in total; 5,473 cases in total.
Wayne County, which was hit hardest by the virus during the pandemic and again recorded large numbers during the outbreak, recorded 26 additional deaths for a total of 4,089. It also confirmed 1,628 additional cases for a total of 119,978. Neighboring Oakland County had 82,299 confirmed cases (1,036 more the day before) and 1,966 deaths (five more). Macomb County has recorded 73,792 cases (909 more) and 1,952 deaths (six more).
Michigan has received nearly 5.7 million doses of vaccine and nearly 5 million of them have been administered. Almost 39% of the population over 16 has received at least one dose. The goal is to reach at least 70%.
SURTENESS CONTINUES
Michigan currently has the nation’s worst COVID-19 outbreak, classification no. 1 among states for both number of new cases and rate of cases, as well as for hospitalizations and intensive care use.
The seven-day average positive test rate is now 17.3%, nearly six times higher than the threshold of 3% which demonstrates that the spread of the community is under control. The Saginaw area has the highest average positivity rate, now close to 21%, driven by rates above 30% in Huron, Tuscola and Sanilac counties in Thumb.
Southeast Michigan to the inch also has the highest case rates. Statewide, residents between the ages of 20 and 39 see highest case rates. People over 70, who are more likely to be vaccinated, do not get the virus as frequently.
Hospitalizations have almost doubled in the past two weeks, with people aged 60 to 69 most often hospitalized.
“(Hospitals) are starting to consider re-implementing some of their emergency plans,” Elizabeth Hertel, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said in a data update. from the agency on Wednesday. “We know that our hospitals are well equipped to deal with these surges. We have seen them do this on several occasions now, unfortunately, and we will remain here ready to support them in whatever they need.
The death rate is also increasing, although daily totals remain quite low, especially compared to the spring 2020 and fall outbreaks.
STATE RESPONSE
Despite the surge, Governor Gretchen Whitmer did not signal a tightening of restrictions. She has not held a formal briefing on the Lansing coronavirus – in which restriction changes were often announced – in nearly three weeks, although she has been available to the media at several appearances in the State, including when received his first vaccine earlier this week.
In a statement released Thursday to News 8, Whitmer’s office said “Michigan continues to put in place smart health policies, such as a mask mandate and capacity limits for large gatherings,” and that the state is working to step up testing in surrounding schools after spring. break and for student athletes.
“We continue to work closely with our state’s leading health experts to monitor trends in the spread of COVID-19 statewide. Unlike other states like Texas and Florida that have completely ditched public health protocols, Michigan continues to have smart health policies in place, such as a mask mandate and capacity limits for adults. gatherings. We are still in this pandemic, but we have learned a lot about how to protect ourselves and our loved ones. That’s why every Michigander has a personal responsibility to do their part by wearing a mask, washing their hands and maintaining social distancing to help us slow the spread of this virus.
“The state is moving forward with plans to step up testing in schools, businesses and nursing homes. We have increased COVID-19 testing and expanded testing protocols for all student athletes. And we’ve increased our immunization schedule over the past two weeks, which has taken us to a historic milestone of four million vaccines in less than four months. The most important thing people can do is get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and their families, and help us eliminate this virus once and for all. “
Bobby Leddy, Press Secretary for Governor Whitmer’s Office
The accelerating vaccine distribution gives state officials hope that the summer will be better and that restrictions could be lifted completely.
