(WWJ) Coronavirus remains a danger in Michigan, as the state reports its biggest jump in cases in a couple of months.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday announced 891 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Michigan. This is the largest daily number since back on May 14, bringing the total to 71,197.
The health department also reported 4 more coronavirus-related deaths, for a total of 6,085 amid the pandemic.
Michigan Chief Medical Executive and DHHS Chief Deputy for Health Dr. Joneigh Khaldun called the day's report "very concerning," noting there are areas of the state reporting their highest daily numbers yet.
Looking back, the May 14 daily count was at 1,191 new cases. Health officials at the time said the jump was due to a test result backlog, combined with an increase in testing. Excluding May 14, the highest daily count came on May 1, when 977 cases were reported.
As of July 15, the state reports a total of 53,867 infected people have officially recovered. (Find a complete breakdown of the data AT THIS LINK.)
At a news conference, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the state is at a "turning point" in its fight against COVID-19.
For this recent uptick, the governor blamed what she called "spotty compliance" regarding masks.
"That means that the requirement that people wear face masks is really important to get a handle on these numbers and to push down these numbers again," Whitmer said. "We've seen what can happen when people come together with face coverings, but we've also seen what can happen when people show up without a face covering. We have a choice to make: We double down and get more vigilant in our fight against this virus. Or do we let all of our hard work go to waste — all the hard work we've done over the past four months?"
On a screen, Whitmer showed a graph.
"You can see where we are now, and where our trajectory is headed," Whitmer said. "If we don't do anything different right now and keep seeing that our numbers climb, this is where we are headed. As you can see, it'll be above where we were at the absolute worst time during COVID-19, or during the initial Stay Home, Stay Safe order. So, this is what's at stake."
What happens next, the governor said, depnds on "what we all do."
Whitmer once again warned that if Michiganders don't mask up, and numbers continue to rise as they have been, she will be forced to take some steps back, closing businesses — including automotive plants — and further damaging the state's economy.
Whitmer said Michiganders must all work together to prevent that from happening.
"We have pushed the curve down before; we have led the nation," Whitmer said. "...And I believe that we can do it again."
Whitmer was joined at the day's briefing by a few unexpected guests: College coaches who expressed their support for the mask mandate.
Michigan State University men's and women's basketball coaches Tom Izzo and Suzy Merchant, as well as Michigan women's basketball coach Kim Barnes Arico spoke briefly, encouraging sports fans to put aside rivalries and wear masks.
"We need to make better decisions than we've made," said Izzo, after the governor played a new "Mask Up" ad featuring the coach. "Let's all mask up for Michigan and show this country that we're the state that really does work together and masks up together."
Izzo said it's his plan to lead by example by wearing a mask, and using his platform to assist the public health initiative.
"I think as leaders, we have to bring people with us," he added. "We can't just expect they're going to see what we're doing, we have to bring them with us."
This comes after Whitmer on Tuesday signed an Executive Order extending the State of Emergency in Michigan, at least until August 11.
On Monday, stricter mask rules went into effect in Michigan. Businesses are now required to refuse entry or service to people who are not wearing a face covering, with few exceptions.
