(WWJ) The number of coronavirus infections confirmed by tests in Michigan has passed the 30,000 mark.
There are now 30,023 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Michigan, after 760 new cases were confirmed by the Michigan Department of Health and Services, as of Friday afternoon. The health department is also reporting 134 more deaths, bringing the total number deaths in the state as of April 17 to 2,227.
It's notable that Friday's update includes far fewer new cases then were reported by the health department on Thursday; which could be a sign that spread of the virus is slowing. This also marks the first time amid the pandemic that the weekly average of deaths has gone down.
According to the health department, if Michiganders had not put social distancing measures in place, or if there had only been limited intervention, the state would have more than 40,000 positive cases by now.
Looking at the latest counts, the largest number of cases and deaths remains in the City of Detroit, which (counted separately) now has 7,414 cases and 582 deaths.
Looking at the rate of recovery: The health department says, as of April 10, a total of 433 people who tested positive in the state have officially recovered. The "recovered" figure is defined by the number of people with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis who are alive 30 days post-onset (or referral date, if onset is not available). This statistic will be updated once a week on Saturdays.
See more stats, including more information on age, cases and deaths by race/ethnicity, and percentage of cases by county at THIS LINK.
This latest comes as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she hopes to begin reopening some businesses on May 1.
Meanwhile, Michigan Republican Senators are out with their own 5-phase plan to reopen businesses in the state. Part of it: No people at festivals, concerts or sporting events until there's been no spread of the virus or a vaccine is available for 30 days.
The three main symptoms of coronavirus are fever, cough and shortness of breath. In order to mitigate risk of spreading COVID-19, everyone is encouraged to take action to reduce the spread, including: wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer; avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands; cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; avoid handshakes; avoid contact with people who are sick; and stay home when you are sick. Officials are urging social distancing -- staying at least six feet away from other people -- to help flatten the curve.