(WWJ) -- Michigan has hit an important milestone when it comes to the number of people who have received a COVID-19 vaccine.
The state Health Department’s dashboard, updated Monday afternoon, shows that 55% of Michiganders over 16 years old have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's “MI Vacc To Normal Challenge” plan, 55% is the first benchmark on the state’s quest to vaccinate 70% of adults.
With the first checkpoint reached, businesses will be able to allow all workers to return to in-person work in two weeks, or May 24th.
In a video posted to Twitter Monday afternoon, Whitmer thanked all Michiganders who have received the vaccine and encouraged those who haven't to speak to those who have been vaccinated to learn about their experiences.
The next step in the plan will come when Michigan hits the 60% threshold. Two weeks after that happens, the state will ease some capacity restrictions at sporting events, gyms and other venues, while lifting the 11 p.m. curfew on bars and restaurants.
Data from the dashboard says more than 4,450,000 Michiganders have received at least one dose of the vaccine. In order to reach 60%, that number will have to grow to more than 4,850,000.
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“The Vacc to Normal Milestone Tracker provides the most complete estimate of the number of Michigan residents ages 16 and older who have received their first doses of COVID-19 vaccine,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health, said last week. "The safe and effective vaccine is the most important tool we have to reduce the spread of COVID-19. By getting shots in their arms as soon as possible, Michiganders can protect themselves, their families and their communities and help end this pandemic as quickly as possible."
The announcement of Michigan’s arrival to the first benchmark in the plan comes as the state’s coronavirus numbers continue to trend downward.
New data from the state released Monday afternoon show just over 2,700 new confirmed cases of the virus over the last two days, for an average of just over 1,300 per day. That number is down from a seven-day moving average of more than 7,000 cases per day back in mid-April when the state saw a surge in cases.
The state also announced 33 new deaths on Monday, bringing the statewide total to 18,239 since the pandemic began last spring.
The state says about 2,300 COVID-19 patients remain hospitalized across the state.