(WWJ) Michigan is reporting more than 7,300 new COVID-19 cases and nearly 70 deaths over the holiday weekend.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reports 7,341 cases since Wednesday and 66 deaths. An additional 188 deaths from weeks or months ago were identified through a vital records review process, adding a total of 254 deaths to the toll.
MDHHS reports an average of 2,450 cases per day have been identified over the past three days.
About 3,140 people are hospitalized with a confirmed case of the virus statewide, while over 700 are in Intensive Care Units, according to the MDHHS.
The average hospital capacity across the state is just over 70%, including all patients regardless of COVID-19 status.
However, a few hospitals in Metro Detroit exceed 90% capacity including:
-McLaren Macomb, 91% capacity with 53 COVID-19 patients and 9 in the ICU
-Detroit Receiving Hospital, 92% capacity with 35 COVID-19 patients and 15 in the ICU
The vast majority of hospitals in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb County range from 60% full to 85% full.
As of December 21 (the last time the patient census was taken), six hospitals across the state remain at 100% capacity. None are in Metro Detroit.
MORE INFORMATION ON HOSPITAL CAPACITY HERE.
Still, Dr. Sarah Lyon-Calo, an epidemiologist with MDHHS, said the state's case numbers are trending in the right direction.
"(Our cases) have been declining for 29 days," Dr. Lyon-Calo said during a press conference on Thursday. "We're seeing decreases in most age groups and ethnicity groups."
The test positivity rate statewide has been more than slashed in half since December 2nd, dropping from nearly 16% then to 7% on Christmas.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Despite the encouraging trend, health experts and medical professionals across the state have expressed fear over a post-holiday surge due to family gatherings and traveling.
Over 12,000 Michiganders have died after testing positive for a confirmed case of the virus since March, out of nearly 478,300 total cases. The state fatality rate of known cases is 2.5%.
Nearly 318,400 residents are considered recovered, after surviving more than one month since testing positive for the virus.
More than 37,000 healthcare workers have been vaccinated across the state with the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.
"We have seen hospitals, local health departments work very, very rapidly to administer the doses of vaccine they receive," Lyon-Calo said.
Nursing home residents are expected to start receiving their vaccines next week. Health officials say vaccinations will likely be available to the general public by March or April.
While the vaccines roll out, they ask everyone to keep up mitigation efforts including masking and social distancing of six feet or more, hand-washing and avoiding gatherings.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page on COVID-19
