(WWJ) The key thing to watch is the curve — and it's flattening.
Releasing the daily COVID-19 case report, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services included an updated graphic showing the progress Michiganders are making in the battle against the coronavirus.
The MDHHS on Friday reported there are 680 new cases of COVID-19 in Michigan, and 50 new deaths. That brings the totals to 46,326 cases and 4,393 deaths throughout the pandemic.
Although she notes we're making progress, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer continues to stress that Michiganders must continue social distancing to avoid a second surge.
"I know that this has been a nerve wracking time, and that we’re eager to get back to our usual lives. I am, too. But, I’ll be frank — this virus doesn’t take our feelings into consideration. We have to stay steady, let the facts and science guide us, and do our part," the governor wrote in a tweet on Friday.
This comes after Whitmer said Michigan's manufacturing workers will be allowed to return to work on Monday, May 11. She also announced an extension what what she's now calling the "Safer at Home" order to May 28, and details of the six-phase MI Safe Start Plan to slowly re-engage the state's economy.
Looking more closely at the latest numbers, the City of Detroit still remains the state's hardest hit area with 9,648 cases confirmed and 1,154 deaths.
The remainder of Wayne County has 8,176 cases and 874 deaths, and Macomb County has 5,963 cases and 682 deaths. As Oakland County reports 7,664 cases and 805 deaths, officials there say 40% of those deaths have been in nursing homes.
Health officials, meanwhile, are keeping an eye on a few community on the west side of the state, where numbers have been trending up a bit. (Take a look at more county numbers on the map below).
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.
State health officials have said COVID-19 testing has more than doubled, and 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 HERE.