DETROIT – The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 647,899 as of Friday, including 16,004 deaths, state officials report.
Friday’s update includes a total of 5,030 new cases and 20 additional deaths. On Thursday, the state reported 642,869 total cases and 15,984 deaths.
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Testing has been steady around 35,000 diagnostic tests reported per day on average, with the 7-day positive rate above 9% as of Thursday. The state has reported an up-tick in Hospitalizations over the last three weeks.
Related: MHA: Younger age groups driving rise in Michigan COVID-19 hospitalizations
Michigan’s 7-day moving average for daily cases was 3,493 on Thursday -- the highest since early January. The 7-day death average was 22 on Thursday and has been flat for several weeks. The state’s fatality rate is 2.5%. The state also reports “active cases,” which were listed at 64,200 on Thursday. More than 562,000 have recovered in Michigan.
Michigan has reported more than 3.8 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered, as of Wednesday, with 30.3% of residents having received at least one dose.
More: Michigan sees virus surge, but tighter restrictions unlikely, Whitmer says
According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 30 million cases have been reported in the U.S., with more than 546,900 deaths reported from the virus.
Worldwide, more than 125 million people have been confirmed infected and more than 2.7 million have died. More than 71 million have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. The true numbers are certainly much higher, because of limited testing, different ways nations count the dead and deliberate under-reporting by some governments.
Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phases
VIEW: Tracking Michigan COVID-19 vaccine doses 💉
VIEW: Tracking coronavirus cases, outbreaks in Michigan schools
Michigan: All adults eligible for COVID vaccine April 5
The state of Michigan announced Friday that all residents age 16 and up will become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine on April 5, nearly a month before the May 1 date pledged by President Joe Biden.
People age 16 to 49 with certain medical conditions or disabilities will qualify starting March 22, when 50- to 64-year-olds can begin getting shots under a previous announcement. Two days later, March 24, a federally selected regional mass vaccination site will open at Detroit’s Ford Field to administer an additional 6,000 doses a day for two months.
MORE: Michigan’s updated COVID-19 vaccination schedule: Who is eligible and when
Michigan confirms first case of South African COVID variant in Jackson County
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced that the first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.351 has been identified in a child in Jackson County.
The health department did not say how the boy was infected but a case investigation is underway to determine close contacts and if there are additional cases associated.
This new variant was originally detected in South Africa in October 2020 and shares some mutations with the B117 variant. The first case of the B117 variant -- originally detected in the United Kingdom -- was identified in Washtenaw County.
Michigan loosens COVID restrictions on restaurants -- here are all the details
The state of Michigan has loosened its COVID-19 restrictions on bars and restaurants, including the capacity limit and nightly curfew.
On Tuesday, March 2, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced the restrictions on indoor dining have been revised.
Starting Friday, March 5, Michigan restaurants and bars will be allowed to fill up to 50% capacity, with a maximum of 100 people, according to the state.
“I’m proud that we are able to take this positive step without compromising public health,” Whitmer said.
Since Feb. 1, restaurants had been capped at 25% capacity. From mid-November through the end of January, no indoor dining was allowed at bars or restaurants.
COVID variant cases in Michigan rise by more than 100
The number of the confirmed cases of a more contagious COVID-19 variant in Michigan increased by more than 100 this week, suggesting there is “undetected spread” in the community.
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical director for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said the state has confirmed 422 cases of the COVID-19 B117 variant.
That number increased from 314 cases identified as of six days prior (Feb. 24).
Macomb County offers new COVID-19 vaccination site for seniors 60 and older
Through a partnership with SMART, Macomb County is offering a new vaccination location in Sterling Heights.
The vaccination site is at the Sterling Heights Senior Center on Utica Road, between Schoenherr and Van Dyke roads.
Appointments are required. Eligible residents and workers can call the SMART Macomb Vaccine line at 586-421-6579.
Wayne County announces new vaccination clinics for seniors
Wayne County announced it will open several vaccination clinics for residents 65 and older.
According to county Executive Warren Evans, the vaccination clinics will begin Feb. 23.
“I’m pleased Wayne County is now in a position to begin vaccinating seniors,” Evans said. “I know everyone is eager to safely get back to normal. Our team is working hard to ensure all of our residents can get their COVID shot as quickly as the vaccine is available.”
There are no walk-up appointments and seniors must make an appointment by calling the number for the site in their communities.
The full list of clinics and how to register can be found here.
Michigan COVID-19 daily reported cases since March 1:
- March 1 -- 785 new cases
- March 2 -- 1,067 new cases
- March 3 -- 1,536 new cases
- March 4 -- 1,526 new cases
- March 5 -- 1,486 new cases
- March 6 -- 1,289 new cases
- March 7 -- 980 new cases
- March 8 -- 980 new cases
- March 9 -- 954 new cases
- March 10 -- 2,316 new cases
- March 11 -- 2,091 new cases
- March 12 -- 2,403 new cases
- March 13 -- 1,659 new cases
- March 14 -- 1,571 new cases
- March 15 -- 1,572 new cases
- March 16 -- 2,048 new cases
- March 17 -- 3,164 new cases
- March 18 -- 2,629 new cases
- March 19 -- 3,730 new cases
- March 20 -- 2,660 new cases
- March 21 -- 2,400 new cases
- March 22 -- 2,401 new cases
- March 23 -- 3,579 new cases
- March 24 -- 4,454 new cases
- March 25 -- 5,224 new cases
- March 26 -- 5,030 new cases
- March 27, -- 4,670 new cases
Michigan COVID-19 daily reported deaths since March 1:
- March 1 -- 6 new deaths
- March 2 -- 24 new deaths (12 from vital records)
- March 3 -- 5 new deaths
- March 4 -- 37 new deaths (29 from vital records)
- March 5 -- 10 new deaths
- March 6 -- 56 new deaths (48 from vital records)
- March 7 -- 2 new deaths
- March 8 -- 2 new deaths
- March 9 -- 29 new deaths (8 from vital records)
- March 10 -- 8 new deaths
- March 11 -- 23 new deaths (16 from vital records)
- March 12 -- 8 new deaths
- March 13 -- 38 new deaths (30 from vital records)
- March 14 -- 4 new deaths
- March 15 -- 5 new deaths
- March 16 -- 27 new deaths (6 from vital records)
- March 17 -- 0 new deaths
- March 18 -- 25 new deaths (24 from vital records)
- March 19 -- 15 new deaths
- March 20 -- 47 new deaths -- (39 from vital records)
- March 21 -- 3 new deaths
- March 22 -- 3 new deaths
- March 23 -- 16 new deaths (8 from vital records)
- March 24 -- 16 new deaths
- March 25 -- 49 new deaths (30 from vital records)
- March 26 -- 20 new deaths
- March 27 -- 22 new deaths
Coronavirus resources:
- View more: Michigan COVID-19 data 📊📈
- Question about coronavirus? Ask Dr. McGeorge here.
- More: Return to School updates
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