Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 68,295, Death toll now at 6,039
The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 68,295 as of Friday, including 6,039 deaths, state officials report.
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Friday’s update includes 612 new cases and 15 additional deaths, although all are from Vital Records reviews, meaning zero deaths occurred since Thursday’s update. Thursday’s totals were 67,683 confirmed cases and 6,024 total deaths.
New cases have increased slightly in the last week, while deaths remain flat in Michigan. Testing has increased slightly in the last week, with an average of more than 20,000 per day, with the positive rate just above 3 percent. Hospitalizations have increased slightly, but critical care data remains flat.
Michigan has reported 52,841 COVID-19 recoveries. The state also reports “active cases,” which were listed at 8,800 as of Thursday. Michigan’s 7-day average for daily new cases is up to 429 (it was 177 two weeks ago).
Michigan Gov. Whitmer signs order requiring masks in indoor, some outdoor public spaces
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a new Executive Order requiring masks in indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor spaces as COVID-19 cases spike in the state.
Executive Order 2020-147 reiterates that individuals are required to wear a face covering whenever they are in an indoor public space. It also requires the use of face coverings in crowded outdoor spaces.
The order requires any business that is open to the public to refuse entry or service to people who refuse to wear a face covering, with limited exceptions.
Under the governor’s order, businesses that are open to the public must refuse entry and service to individuals who fail to comply, and must post signs at all entrances instructing customers of their legal obligation to wear a face covering while inside.
Read more: Violation of Michigan mask order now a misdemeanor subject to $500 fine
Michigan to require implicit bias training for health professionals to address racial disparities
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an Executive Directive to develop rules to require implicit bias training for health professionals to address racial disparities.
Executive Directive 2020-7 directs the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to begin developing rules that will require implicit bias training as part of the knowledge and skills necessary for licensure, registration and renewal of licenses and registrations of health professionals in Michigan.
Whitmer threatens stricter laws if Michigan residents refuse to ‘mask up’
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is threatening to impose stricter mask laws amid a spike in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and mounting evidence that some residents aren’t taking precautions seriously.
“Over the past week, we have seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases in Michigan, and over the holiday weekend, we saw countless Michiganders gathered in large groups to celebrate Fourth of July without a mask,” Whitmer said. “I think a lot of people saw this video footage from Cass County, Diamond Lake. Right now, the law requires that anyone in an enclosed public space has to wear a mask, and that means every store you’re going into. We’re reviewing that requirement and considering whether or not we need to take this a step further, to strengthen compliance, because we cannot let our guard down.”
The governor said it is “the law of the land” to wear a mask inside a public place in Michigan.
Authorities unsure who would be responsible to enforce potential Michigan mask law
The order is voluntary compliance, but Whitmer said she might impose stricter mask laws amid a spike in coronavirus cases and mounting evidence that some residents aren’t taking precautions seriously.
In the event of a statewide crackdown, will law enforcement be willing to enforce the law?
For police, there are questions of willingness and of resources.
George Nikollaj, the owner of 6 Salon, put safety precautions into his salons -- temperature checks, dividers, sanitizer and everyone is offered -- and encouraged -- to wear a mask. But Nikollaj said he wants to cut hair, not be mask police.
New Michigan COVID-19 cases per day since June 22:
- June 22 -- 179 new cases
- June 23 -- 221 new cases
- June 24 -- 323 new cases
- June 25 -- 353 new cases
- June 26 -- 389 new cases
- June 27 -- 314 new cases
- June 28 -- 252 new cases
- June 29 -- 236 new cases
- June 30 -- 373 new cases
- July 1 -- 262 new cases
- July 2 -- 543 new cases
- July 3 -- 460 new cases
- July 4 -- 398 new cases
- July 5 -- 343 new cases
- July 6 -- 295 new cases
- July 7 -- 456 new cases
- July 8 -- 610 new cases
- July 9 -- 446 new cases
- July 10 -- 612 new cases
Here’s a look at the overall COVID-19 data in Michigan:
- View more: Michigan COVID-19 data
- Dr. Frank McGeorge: How researchers can track the way a virus circulates
Whitmer ‘prepared to take heat’ if parts of Michigan need to shut down again due to COVID-19
Parts of Michigan have seen recent spikes in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she’s “prepared to take heat” if she has to shut down segments of the economy again.
“Gyms are not open,” Whitmer said. “Theaters are not open. There are a number of other business entities that are not reengaged yet. In so far that we have reengaged hair salons -- that’s something that if we see some outbreaks, we may have to disengage on that front. I took a lot of heat. When we brought that cure down we saved thousands of lives. I’m prepared to take heat if that’s what it’s going to take to keep people safe.”
Her comments come as with Michigan in the midst of a slight rise in positive cases, though the spike is nothing like what’s happening in many southern states.
Michigan schools facing likely substitute teacher shortage when they reopen
Monday report: School administrators say easily 30% of parents responding to various surveys don’t feel comfortable sending their children back to in-person learning. So while school districts largely figure it out for themselves, part of the plan is to keep student enrollment up by offering virtual learning options.
For in-person learning, guidance will include fewer students per classroom. But schools have been trying to shrink class sizes for decades.
Many full-time teachers might not feel comfortable with in-class sessions, which leads to another concern: a shortage of substitute teachers.
Out-of-hospital deaths, emergencies increase due to coronavirus pandemic, Michigan officials say
Michigan health officials are reporting significant increases in out-of-hospital emergencies and deaths amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Compared to Michigan EMS data from 2019, out-of-hospital cardiac arrests increased by 43.3 percent this year between March 15 and May 23. Officials say out-of-hospital deaths recorded by EMS also increased by 62 percent between those dates.
Hospitals and medical centers were initially overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients when the pandemic hit in Michigan in March, which led people to avoid seeking care unrelated to COVID-19. Selective operations and procedures also ceased and some emergency departments slowed non-COVID operations during the beginning of the pandemic.
Whitmer closes indoor bar services in most of state after COVID-19 spike
This is Michigan’s first step backward throughout the reopening process after reaching phase four of the governor’s reopening plan.
Indoor bar service in six of the state’s eight geographical regions will be shut down, excluding the Upper Peninsula and Traverse City Region -- the only two regions in phase five of reopening.
Whitmer’s announcement comes as the number of confirmed cases linked to an outbreak at Harper’s Restaurant and Brew Pub in East Lansing continue to rise. On Wednesday, health officials confirmed 138 positive COVID-19 cases have been linked to the bar, including 119 people who were customers there between June 12 and June 20.
Also on Wednesday, Whitmer signed a package of bills allowing restaurants to serve alcoholic drinks to-go and via delivery.
The governor’s order applies to establishments with on-premises retailer liquor licenses that earn more than 70% of their gross receipts from alcohol sales. That means most brewpubs, distilleries and vineyards can stay open indoors. Traditional bars, nightclubs and strip clubs will have to end indoor service.
Read more: Michigan bars navigate changing rules, can now offer alcohol to-go
Whitmer reveals plan for schools to return to in-person learning this fall
Whitmer also released the “MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap” on Tuesday, calling it a “comprehensive document to help districts create local plans for in-person learning in the fall” as the state navigates reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-142 requires school districts to adopt a “COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan” in which they lay out how they will protect students and educators across the various phases of the “Michigan Safe Start Plan.”
Last week, Michigan Republicans laid out their plans for school to return in the fall.
Meanwhile, a report from the University of Michigan found one-third of parents surveyed don’t plan to send their children back to class in the fall.
Michigan Republicans call on state to investigate use of nursing homes as care facilities
In a new letter to Attorney General Dana Nessel, each of Michigan’s congressional Republicans called on the state of Michigan to investigate its use of nursing homes as care centers for recovering COVID-19 patients.
Nursing homes and long-term care facilities have accounted for more than 1 in 5 coronavirus deaths here in Michigan and have become a major point of contention within the state.
Signing with five other leading congressional Republicans who sit on the House Subcommittee on the coronavirus, they demanded answers about why the state ignored advice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which warned not to release COVID patients into long-term care.
Wayne County COVID-19 data: Tracking cases, deaths; City-by-city breakdown
Tracking COVID-19 cases in Wayne County, outside of Detroit.