DETROIT – Michigan reported 2,770 new cases of COVID-19 and 50 virus-related deaths Friday -- an average of 1,385 cases over a two-day period.
Of the 50 deaths reported, 35 were identified during a Vital Records review. The state also said that of the 2,770 new cases reported Friday, about 825 of them are “attributable to older lab results,” and did not occur over that two-day period.
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Friday’s update brings the total number of confirmed COVID cases in Michigan to 2,071,587, including 32,611 deaths. These numbers are up from 2,068,817 cases and 32,561 deaths, as of Wednesday.
Testing has increased to around 50,000 to 60,000 diagnostic tests reported per day on average, with the 7-day positive rate at 3.50% as of March 16 -- a slight increase in the last few days, but still near the lowest it has been since July 2021. Hospitalizations have decreased over the last few weeks, now down to the lowest total since last summer.
The state’s 7-day moving average for daily cases was 811 on Friday, March 18. The 7-day death average was 28 on March 18. The state’s fatality rate is 1.5%.
Michigan has reported more than 11.4 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered as of March 14, with 70.5% of 16+ residents having received at least one dose, while 64.7% of 16+ residents are considered fully vaccinated.
Across Michigan’s entire population, 66.5% have received at least one COVID vaccine dose.
According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 79.5 million cases have been reported in the U.S., with more than 966,000 deaths reported from the virus. Globally, more than 10.7 billion vaccine doses have been administered, including more than 555 million doses in the U.S. alone.
Worldwide, more than 462 million people have been confirmed infected and more than 6 million have died, 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.
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CDC: Many healthy Americans can take a break from masks
Most Americans live in places where healthy people, including students in schools, can safely take a break from wearing masks under new U.S. guidelines released Friday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlined the new set of measures for communities where COVID-19 is easing its grip, with less of a focus on positive test results and more on what’s happening at hospitals.
Michigan drops mask recommendations for K-12 schools, most indoor settings as COVID cases drop
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is updating its COVID-19 masking guidance as the state enters a “recovery” phase following a surge in virus infections and hospitalizations.
Following weeks of a record-setting surge in COVID-19 spread across Michigan, the state’s numbers have shown a promising decline. Daily new COVID-19 case counts are down significantly from last month, and the state’s 7-day positive testing rate is the lowest it has been since the end of October.
Coronavirus resources:
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