(WWJ) Michigan reported its lowest daily increase in COVID-19 deaths since March 29 on Sunday.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said 29 more residents have died from the virus since Saturday.
Weekend numbers have consistently been lower than weekday numbers because of a lack of staff present to do the reporting.
547 more Michiganders have tested positive for the virus.
Wayne, Oakland and Macomb County are home to about two thirds of the cases in the state (nearly 30,600 of the 43,754.)
However, health officials say they are keeping their eye on a possible outbreak in the western part of the state. You can see a county by county breakdown of positive cases and deaths here.
Michigan's Chief Medical Executive, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, said during Friday's press conference that the rate of rise is slowing in Southeastern Michigan while it is accelerating in the Grand Rapids area.
"Compared to last week, we had a 48% rise in cases in Kent County, a 41% rise in Muskegon County, and a 23% rise in Ottawa County," Khaldun said.
She added that ramping up testing in these areas may partly account for the spike in cases. However, health officials expressed concern the western part of the state may not be as well equipped to weather an outbreak because of less hospital capacity than Southeastern Michigan. You can see graphs depicting the rate of rise in cases per each region here.
The total in Michigan stands at 43,754 cases and 4,049 deaths.
Data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the average age of Michiganders who have passed away from the virus is 74.9 years old. The median age of death is 76. The age range is 5 to 107.
88 percent of those who died from coronavirus in Michigan were over the age of 60.
On a happy note, 15,659 residents are officially deemed survivors of COVID-19. State health officials consider a patient recovered if they are alive 30 days after their diagnosis.
Data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services shows the percentage of tests that come back positive for the virus has decreased dramatically since early April.
This remains true even as testing becomes more widely available, including to essential workers who are asymptomatic. You can see where and how you can get tested here.
Region 2N is Oakland, Macomb, and St. Clair County. As you can see from the graph below; a significant percentage of the tests were positive in early April.
Between 40 and 50% of the tests per day came back positive in Region 2N around the peak of the outbreak on April 2nd.
However, since April 24, that number has consistently been below 20%
When the virus arrived in Michigan on March 10, the region was conducting between 200 to 400 tests per day. 2,500 residents underwent tests for the coronavirus on May 1.
Region 2S is Wayne (including Detroit), Monroe and Washtenaw County. You can see a similar pattern unfolding there.
At the peak of the outbreak, 50% to 60% percent of the tests taken per day came back positive.
That number has consistently been below 20% since April 24.
Healthcare workers in Region 2S were conducting anywhere from 200 to 700 tests per day throughout March.
More than 3,000 residents of the region were tested for COVID-19 on May 1.
The following chart shows a sharp decrease in the percentage of patients visiting Emergency Departments and Urgent Care facilities, reporting coronavirus symptoms.
This chart depicts the trend in all of Michigan.
You can see a breakdown by region here.
Governor Whitmer implemented the first “Stay at Home, Stay Safe” order on March 24. The most recent version of the order remains in effect until at least May 15.
Health experts and political leaders are concerned how pulling back on restrictions will affect the numbers.
“Make no mistake, this will be a long-term effort...” Dr. Khaldun said during Friday’s press conference. “As we move forward with slowly reopening our economy, and the days start getting warmer, please continue to have patience and diligently continue to practice social distancing to protect both yourself and your community."
The CDC said most people with coronavirus experience mild illness. Health experts are also still grappling with how many cases are asymptomatic.
People over 65 and people of any age with underlying medical conditions are at greatest risk of severe complications, according to the CDC. This includes hypertension, severe obesity (BMI over 40), serious heart conditions, immunocompromised, cancer, lung disease and diabetes. You can see a complete list here.
"Focusing on our most vulnerable populations will be a key strategy of our public health response moving forward," Khaldun said at the press conference.
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams said in a video produced by the CDC people who do not fall into the 'vulnerable' category can be still be carriers, and pass it to loved ones or strangers more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. In rare cases; younger, healthy people can have serious complications.
Data out of New York, the epicenter of America's outbreak, found 89.2% of the more than 19,000 New Yorkers who died from COVID-19 had at least one "comorbidity." Information on the pre-existing conditions of Michigan's fatalities is not available.
Health experts say they learn more about the virus and how it behaves in the human body each day.
They urge you to stay safe by wearing a cloth mask or face covering in public, washing your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, and abiding by social distancing.