(WWJ) The case count continues to grow in Michigan, amid a pandemic that has altered lives worldwide.
There are 999 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, bringing the total to 33,966. That includes 113 new deaths recorded, for a total of 2,813 deaths, according to the Michigan Department of Human Services in an update Wednesday.
While Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has noted the number of coronavirus cases in the city is plateauing, the city remains the hardest-hit area of the state — with 8,026 cases and 747 deaths.
Looking outside the city at the metro Detroit area, the remainder of Wayne County has 6,535 cases and 572 deaths. Oakland County has 6,463 cases and 529 deaths, and Macomb County has 4,628 cases and 473 deaths.
In Mid-Michigan, Genesee County — which includes the city of Flint — is also racking up some higher numbers, with 1,362 cases and 138 deaths as of Tuesday. (See map above for cases by county).
At this point, every county in the Lower Peninsula has at least one document case.
While the counts climb, state health officials said Wednesday, however, that hospitals report they are now discharging more COVID-19 patients than they are admitting. It's a sign, the state's top doctor says, that social distancing is working.
A bright spot in the statistics: The state is reporting 3,237 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of April 17. The recovery numbers are reported weekly by MDHHS and are defined as those alive 30 days post-onset. (This statistic is updated once a week, on Saturdays). This comes as Beaumont Health System revealed it has discharged 2,076 COVID-19 patients, with 154 patients taken off ventilators.
See more stats, including deaths by age, deaths by sex, and percentage of cases by county at THIS LINK.
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.
Anyone who is an essential employee going to work at this time, or who has symptoms is urged to get tested. FIND A TESTING SITE.
This is a rapidly evolving situation. Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 where we will remain live, local and committed to bringing you the latest information during this outbreak. >>LISTEN LIVE!
