(WWJ) There are new coronavirus outbreaks in 27 schools across Michigan, according to state health officials.
Data released by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Monday shows most of the outbreaks involve two or three cases, but six cases were reported among staff and students at Plymouth Christian Academy in Canton.
Other outbreaks were reported at Romeo, Anchor Bay and Howell high schools. Wyandotte Roosevelt High School had 17 students and staff dealing with the virus for the past two week, according to MDHHS.
Looking at colleges in the state, new statistics released today show about 100 new cases of the virus at Michigan State University, where more than 1,600 cases have been confirmed. About 200 new cases were reported at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for a total of 836. New cases were also reported at Western Michigan University and Grand Valley State University.
What counts as an "outbreak?" In accordance with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists’ outbreak definition, educational institutions (including grades K-12 and institutions of higher education) that have been found by their local health department to have two or more COVID-19 cases who may have shared exposure on school grounds and are from different households are included. Case counts for school-related outbreaks include those associated with before and after school programs (school-sponsored sports, for example). When applicable, outbreak reporting also includes cases originating from on-campus and off-campus student housing.
Find all the details about school outbreaks in Michigan at THIS LINK.
Meanwhile, concern keeps growing this fall about the case count in Michigan overall.
On Monday, MDHHS reported 2,909 new cases over the past two days (or 1454 per day) and 21 deaths Sunday and Monday.
There are 1,050 people who are hospitalized and 267 of those are in intensive care, according to the health department. The daily positivity rate is over 6% for the first time since May.
To keep the virus from spreading in Michigan, health officials urge everyone to wear masks in public, avoid big crowds and parties, and practice social distancing whenever possible.
See more updates COVID-19 information for Michigan, HERE. Find out where to get tested, HERE.