(WWJ) The new numbers are out — and things are looking up a bit.
Data released by the state shows the number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 being reported each day continues to decline, even as more and more Michiganders are being tested.
There are only 432 new confirmed cases being reported in Michigan Monday — the lowest number of new cases in nearly a month. That brings the total to 38,210 during the pandemic, according to an update by the Michigan Department of Human Services
The new case count includes 92 more deaths recorded, according to the health department, for a total of 3,407 deaths. As of today, the state says the overall fatality rate among confirmed cases is 9%.
Michigan's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said Monday she is "cautiously optimistic that we are headed in the right direction."
"Statewide we are continuing to see an overall plateau in the number of cases of COVID-19 in Michigan," Khaldun said, at a news conference. "We also know that people are beating this disease, which is really important."
Khaldun said, however, as Michigan does continue to see more cases and deaths, it's important to continue to monitor and track the data, as officials look at incrementally opening the state's economy.
The hardest-hit area of the state continues to be the City of Detroit, with 8,679 cases and 950 deaths. Mayor Mike Duggan says 127 people died from COVID-19 last week in the city; which is the lowest in four weeks. The mayor stressed that Detroiters must continue social distancing to keep the numbers moving in the right direction.,
Looking at the suburbs: The remainder of Wayne County has 7,193 cases and 672 deaths. Oakland County has 6,913 cases and 631 deaths, and Macomb County has 5,245 cases and 527 deaths.
The hardest-hit area outside metro Detroit is Mid-Michigan's Genesee County — which includes the city of Flint — with 1,483 cases and 165 deaths as of Monday.
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).
Something new this week: The state is releasing information regarding nursing homes and other longterm care facilities hit hard by COVID-19. Note that these are only numbers of confirmed cases; death counts for each facility have not yet been provided.
While dozens of facilities are listed, hot spots in tri-county area include:
- In Wayne County, Imperial Healthcare Centre had 76 cases.
- In Oakland County, West Bloomfield Nursing Center has 56 cases.
- In Macomb County, Shorepoint Nursing Center had 45 cases.
Those numbers were current as of April 23.
See the complete rundown of nursing home names, along with more stats on cases by age, sex, and 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.
Dr. Khaldun said COVID-19 testing "has doubled" in the state, 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.
