(WWJ) Another day, another even bigger number to report.
Michigan's health department on Wednesday announced more than 6,300 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the state, along with 10 new related deaths.
This is the biggest daily number for Michigan in 2021, according to statistics compiled by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
The last time Michigan saw its one-day case count this high was in November of 2020. That same month, the health department reported an all-time high of more than 8,000 new cases in one day.
This comes as COVID-related hospitalizations are also on the rise in Michigan.
Beaumont Health said Wednesday it is experiencing a major surge in COVID-19 patients, reporting that the the number of COVID-positive inpatients in its hospital system has quadrupled in the past month — from 128 on February 28 to more than 500 as of Tuesday this week.
MDHHS says that's more than double the number of COVID patients at any other hospital system in Michigan. In response to all this, Beaumont is expanding COVID units at all locations and has strict new visitor restrictions in place.
Related
As for why cases are increasing, health officials are blaming, among other things, virus variants now present in the state, some school sports, and general lockdown fatigue.
Meanwhile, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said she does not plan to tighten restrictions on businesses or activities anytime soon in response to the virus surge. Instead, she's concentrating on vaccinations.
Whitmer on Wednesday said she is raising Michigan's COVID-19 vaccination goal from 50,000 to 100,000 shots per day. She says the state has exceeded its original goal for the past 38 days, and is now receiving more doses -- so raising the goal makes sense.
“Michigan is making great strides as our rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines continues ramping up,” said Whitmer, in a statement. “The safe, effective vaccines are one of the best ways to protect you and your family from coronavirus, and they are essential to getting our country back to normal so we can hug our families, get back to work, send our kids to school, and get together again. These new, higher vaccine targets are a testament to what we can do together, and we need to meet them so we can keep rebuilding our economy.
"Thanks to capable leadership at the national level, heroic efforts by frontline workers who are working around the clock, and the dedication of millions of Michiganders, we will put this pandemic behind us. I urge everyone to continue doing their part with masks, social distancing, and hand washing, and when you are eligible, get your vaccine.”
To date, officials say Michigan has administered more than 4.2 million vaccines.
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Beginning Monday, April 5, anyone over age 16 in Michigan will be eligible to get the shot.
“The state is working hand-in-hand with health care systems, local health departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers, primary care providers and others to get Michiganders vaccinated with the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health.
Want to get your shot?
Sign-up for the mass vaccination clinic at Ford Field in Detroit is available through these three options:
• Online at meijer.com/register/CL2021
• Text EndCOVID to 75049
• Call the MDHHS COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 (press 1)
For other options check with your county health department, local hospital system (eg: Beaumont or Henry Ford) or visit Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine for the latest information.
Looking for detailed information on total case numbers, outbreaks, recoveries and more in Michigan? CLICK HERE.