As Michigan is experiencing a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases, many people are concerned that the number of deaths will also climb in the coming weeks. Some new research suggests COVID-19 deaths might not rise as sharply as they did in the spring. They found death rates were highest in late March -- at 41% for COVID-19 patients in intensive care units -- compared to a much lower 21% for similar patients during that time. But when they adjusted for age and other medical problems, death rates still dropped by 18%, on average. Both papers suggest that improved treatment protocols, newer therapies and lower hospital volumes allowing for better care are working to lower the death rate.