(WWJ) More than 49,000 Michiganders are now considered survivors of COVID-19.
The State of Michigan has listed 49,290 people as recovered from the virus. This includes everyone diagnosed on or before May 20.
This is over 80% of the state’s 61,230 confirmed cases. A person is dubbed recovered from COVID-19 after surviving 30 days post diagnosis.
Over 90% of Michigan’s coronavirus cases are considered closed; meaning the person has either recovered or passed away.
5,846 Michigan residents who tested positive for the virus have died. The Detroit Free Press reports at least 34% of those deaths were in nursing homes, with that number expected to be higher.
The statewide daily death toll of 3 is one of the lowest since the pandemic began here in Michigan in March.
146 residents were newly diagnosed since Saturday. This comes as some states, including Florida, are reporting daily case counts in the thousands.
Michigan reports about 2.5% of the diagnostic tests conducted on Friday came back positive
For a testing site near you, click here.
Dr. Arnold Monto, Professor of Epidemiology at University of Michigan School of Public Health, said the positive trend shows Michiganders are being responsible for the most part.
“I think we got scared, especially in the Detroit area. And I think seeing the need to do these things is part of the equation,” Dr. Monto said live on WWJ. “Everybody can make rules, but getting people to distance and to wear a mask is a personal decision.”
However, he said, not doing these things could have grave consequences for strangers or even your loved ones, especially if they fall into the at-risk category.
Getting the message to young adults is particularly important, according to Monto.
“When you see those that are gathering at pools or bars, it’s usually that age group. Not only can they become infected, and pass it onto an older age group that can get severely ill. But they (young adults) also have some likelihood of getting ill.”
As for pools…. Monto said there is no danger from the water itself.
“Chlorine kills viruses,” he told WWJ’s Rob Mason. “It’s the crowding that tends to occur at a pool (that poses a problem)."
Bottom line, experts say wearing masks in indoor public places and avoiding large gatherings are our best defenses against the virus.
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Additional reading:
For the symptoms of COVID-19, click here
To learn who is most at risk, click here.
For more on how to protect yourself and others, click here.