DETROIT – Michigan reported 4,448 new cases of COVID-19 and 51 virus-related deaths Friday -- an average of 2,224 cases over the past two days.
Friday’s update brings the total number of confirmed COVID cases in Michigan to 955,640, including 20,367 deaths. These numbers are up from 951,192 cases and 20,347 deaths, as of Wednesday.
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NOTE: The state of Michigan reported 20,347 deaths on Wednesday, but when Friday’s update was posted, Wednesday’s number was decreased to 20,316. Therefore, the state announced Friday’s total of 20,367 deaths as an increase of 51, not 20.
The deaths announced Friday include 28 identified during a Vital Records review.
Testing has increased to around 20,000 diagnostic tests reported per day on average, with the 7-day positive rate at 9.44% as of Wednesday, slightly higher than the previous week. The positive test rate has been steadily climbing since the end of June, when it was at its lowest. Hospitalizations have increased by 231% since July 1.
Cases are rising again in Michigan. The state’s 7-day moving average for daily cases was 1,995 on Friday -- a significant jump since the beginning of July. The 7-day death average was 25 on Friday. The state’s fatality rate is 2.1%. The state also reports “active cases,” which were listed at 54,000 on Friday.
Michigan has reported more than 9.6 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered as of Friday, with 66% of 16+ residents having received at least one dose while 57.4% of 12+ residents are considered fully vaccinated.
According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 39 million cases have been reported in the U.S., with more than 642,000 deaths reported from the virus. Globally, more than 5 billion vaccine doses have been administered, including more than 370 million doses in the U.S. alone.
Coronavirus headlines:
VIEW: Chart: Michigan COVID vaccine coverage
VIEW: Tracking coronavirus cases, outbreaks in Michigan schools
Flu expected to circulate more this year due to fewer COVID precautions
While coronavirus pandemic precautions helped keep the flu away last year, experts are worried that we won’t be so lucky this year.
Precautions and restrictions designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 actually also helped prevent the spread of the flu, a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, during the 2020 flu season. This time last year, health experts were concerned that the U.S. would experience a “twindemic” with COVID and the flu, but that didn’t happen, likely due to a combination of mask wearing, social distancing, most schools being closed and overall reduced travel.
But this year, many of those precautions and restrictions are no longer in effect, and the flu is expected to circulate more widely.
Detroit opens scheduling for third dose of COVID vaccinations
Detroit has opened up scheduling for residents with compromised immune systems to receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.
Residents must have been fully vaccinated for at least six months and have compromised immune systems to schedule an appointment for a third dose.
Third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations, which were approved by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, will be offered at the TCF Center drive-thru to those with an appointment.
MDHHS ‘strongly recommends’ Michigan schools require universal masking when students return
Michigan health officials are strongly recommending schools require universal masking when students return for in-person learning.
Last month, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services updated its guidance for preventing the spread of COVID-19 within school buildings.
“Because many students have yet to be vaccinated and students under age 12 are not yet eligible, layered prevention measures, including universal masking, must be put in place for consistent in-person learning to keep kids, staff and families safe,” an MDHHS release says.
This update brings MDHHS guidance in line with that of the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.
CDC recommends vaccinated people wear masks in schools, some indoor settings
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now recommending that even vaccinated people wear masks indoors in parts of the United States where coronavirus is surging.
The CDC on Tuesday, July 27 cited new information about the ability of the delta variant to spread among vaccinated people. The CDC also recommended indoor masks for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to schools regardless of vaccination status.
The CDC said that in the United States most new infections are among unvaccinated people. But “breakthrough” infections, which generally cause milder illness, can occur in vaccinated people.
Michigan COVID-19 daily reported cases since Aug. 16:
- Aug. 16 -- 1,184 new cases
- Aug. 17 -- 1,345 new cases
- Aug. 18 -- 1,345 new cases
- Aug. 19 -- 2,098 new cases
- Aug. 20 -- 2,099 new cases
- Aug. 21 -- 1,306 new cases
- Aug. 22 -- 1,307 new cases
- Aug. 23 -- 1,307 new cases
- Aug. 24 -- 2,163 new cases
- Aug. 25 -- 2,163 new cases
- Aug. 26 -- 1,979 new cases
- Aug. 27 -- 1,979 new cases
- Aug. 28 -- 1,673 new cases
- Aug. 29 -- 1,673 new cases
- Aug. 30 -- 1,674 new cases
- Aug. 31 -- 2,247 new cases
- Sept. 1 -- 2,247 new cases
- Sept. 2 -- 2,224 new cases
- Sept. 3 -- 2,224 new cases
Michigan COVID-19 daily reported deaths since Aug. 16:
- Aug. 16 -- 7 new deaths (8 from past three days from vital records)
- Aug. 17 -- 23 new deaths
- Aug. 18 -- 23 new deaths (15 from past two days from vital records)
- Aug. 19 -- 18 new deaths
- Aug. 20 -- 19 new deaths (13 from past two days from vital records)
- Aug. 21 -- 4 new deaths
- Aug. 22 -- 4 new deaths
- Aug. 23 -- 2 new deaths (5 from past three days from vital records)
- Aug. 24 -- 19 new deaths
- Aug. 25 -- 19 new deaths (10 from past two days from vital records)
- Aug. 26 -- 34 new deaths
- Aug. 27 -- 35 new deaths (42 deaths from past two days from vital records)
- Aug. 28 -- 9 new deaths
- Aug. 29 -- 9 new deaths
- Aug. 30 -- 8 new deaths (6 from past three days from vital records)
- Aug. 31 -- 45 new deaths
- Sept. 1 -- 46 new deaths (36 from past two days from vital records)
- Sept. 3 -- 51 new deaths (28 from past two days from vital records)
Coronavirus resources:
- View more: Michigan COVID-19 data 📊📈
- Question about coronavirus? Ask Dr. McGeorge here.
- More: Return to School updates
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