(WWJ) "The only way we can get through this and take the next steps forward, is if we all continue to do our part," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Friday.
While the governor says the coronavirus shows signs of slowing in the state, she urges Michiganders to continue to follow social distancing guidelines as COVID-19 case and death counts still grow.
On Friday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced there are 977 new cases of COVID-19 in Michigan, and 77 new deaths. That brings the totals to 42,356 confirmed cases and 3,866 deaths in Michigan during the coronavirus pandemic.
At a news conference, Michigan's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said she remains "cautiously optimistic" concerning dropping numbers of new cases, and she supports Whitmer's efforts to slowly began to reengage the state's economy.
Khaldun said, however, that health officials are closely watching certain areas of the state — including Kent County, where there has been a 48% increase in cases compared to last week. They're also keeping an eye on Muskegon County, with a 41% increase in cases, and Ottowa County, with a 23% increase in cases week-over-week.
"While the rate of rise is slower in Southeast Michigan, we are seeing an increase in the rate of rise in other parts of the state — particularly in the western part," Khaldun said. "Testing has also also increased in these areas, which is very good. We also know that if we test more people we're going to find more disease, and that is definitely what we want. Knowing where the disease is is how we will stop the spread."
The hardest-hit area of the state remains the City of Detroit, which is counted separately. As of Friday, there have been 9,162 cases confirmed and 1,040 deaths in the city, the health department says.
Looking at the suburbs: The remainder of Wayne County has 7,808 cases and 762 deaths. Oakland County has 7423 cases and 705 deaths, and Macomb County has 5,623 cases and 614 deaths. The hardest-hit areas outside metro Detroit is Genesee County — which includes the city of Flint — with 1,600 cases and 192 deaths. Kent County has now tied Genesee in the case count, with 1,600 cases. But only 36 deaths have been reported in Kent County.
(See more county numbers on the map below).
Statewide, the oldest person to die of COVID-19 was 107 years old, while the youngest was 5 years old. The average age of those who died is now 74.9 years old, while the median age is 76 years old. Over 80% of those who have died were 60 or older.
In better news, the state is reporting 8,342 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of April 24. The recovery numbers are reported weekly by MDHHS and are defined as those alive 30 days post-onset. (This statistic is updated only once a week, on Saturdays).
Another positive statistic to report: Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said hospitals in the city now have more beds open than ever for COVID-19 patients.
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.
Khaldun says COVID-19 testing, now doubled in the state, is now open to first responders, health care workers and all essential employees — even those who do not have symptoms. Testing is also available to anyone in Michigan who has even just mild symptoms. FIND A TESTING SITE.
Khaldun urges anyone in Michigan with symptoms not to hesitate to seek medical care.
Also on Friday, Whitmer acknowledged that there is a lot to take in right now, and staying informed can take its toll. With that in mind, state health officials have launched "Stay Home, Stay Well" offering mental health resources at Michigan.gov/staywell.
See more updated COVID-19 stats from the state HERE.
