(WWJ) The number of Michiganders who are deemed survivors of the coronavirus has topped 100,000.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reports 104,271 residents are considered "recovered" from COVID-19 after surviving 30 days since testing positive for the illness. The statistic includes anyone diagnosed on or before September 9.
A total of 134,656 Michigan residents have tested positive for the virus. Of those; 77% are considered recovered. The fatality rate stands at 5.1%, as 6,891 Michiganders have died after a positive COVID-19 test; according to MDHHS data.
This comes as the state reported 1,522 new confirmed cases on Saturday, its highest daily count since mid-April. Five people who tested positive for the virus died since Friday afternoon, and 10 additional deaths were identified through a Vital Records review process.
The hardest hit age group was 80 and older, accounting for more than one third of the deaths. 87% of the deaths in Michigan have been people over the age of 60, according to MDHHS.
Deaths by age groupMichigan Department of Health and Human Services
State data is also showing an uptick in hospitalizations and deaths. In an interview with the Detroit News, Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun called the trend "really concerning."
As of Friday, The MDHHS reports 918 adults are in the hospital with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19. This is a more than 80% increase from just over 500 hospitalizations three weeks ago.
85 COVID-19 patients are on ventilators, according to MDHHS. 9 children are hospitalized statewide with a confirmed/suspected case of the virus.
The hardest hit area of the state is Region 2N which is comprised of Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair Counties—where 263 people are hospitalized with the virus.
Cases by date of onsetCases by date of onset/Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Michigan has over 22,500 adult hospital beds, according to state data. MDHHS reports 75% of hospital beds statewide are full, including all patients regardless of COVID-19 status. Metro Detroit hospital systems are slightly more strained than the statewide average. Ascension is the most packed health system, with nearly 84% of beds full and 114 COVID-19 patients, including 22 in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit).
Beaumont Health System has 134 COVID-19 patients (33 in the ICU); Detroit Medical Center , 44 COVID-19 patients (8 in the ICU); Henry Ford Health System, 122 (30 in the ICU). To see a complete list of Michigan hospitals, click here.
However, while the number of hospitalizations has jumped dramatically; overall hospital capacity has remained steady over the past few months.
In a video posted on Twitter, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said Michigan has gone from having the third highest number of COVID-19 cases per million in April to the 33rd highest in September.
4.12% of more than 43,600 tests conducted on Friday lead to a diagnosis of the virus, an increase from a positivity rate ranging from 2.8% to 3.5% over the past month; according to MDHHS.
Macomb County, however, reported a 6.4% positivity rate on Friday.
"When it comes to fighting COVID-19," Whitmer said in the video. "We're all in this together."
