Here’s what you should know, January 17, 2021

DETROIT – The number of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Michigan rose to 535,534 on Saturday, including 13,804 deaths, state officials reported.

Saturday’s update includes 1,932 new cases and 103 additional deaths – including 90 identified during a review of the records, meaning that they did not occur between Friday and Saturday. On Friday, the state recorded a total of 533,602 cases and 13,701 deaths.

Michigan reported a total of 442,408 recoveries from the virus on Saturday.

Michigan employees no longer provide updates on coronavirus data across the state on Sundays; the next update is expected on Monday, January 18th.

NEW: 1st case of new COVID variant identified in Michigan

New cases of COVID-19 have stabilized, but deaths remain high in Michigan. The tests have remained stable with more than 38,000 diagnostic tests reported per day, with the average rate of positivity in 7 days around 8%. Hospitalizations have continued to decline in recent weeks.

Michigan’s 7-day moving average for daily cases was 2,350 on Saturday. The average 7-day mortality was 84 on Saturday. The state’s mortality rate is 2.6%. The state also reports “active cases”, which were listed at 79,300 on Saturday – the lowest since November.

According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 23.6 million cases have been reported in the United States, with more than 393,900 deaths reported by the virus on January 16.

Worldwide, more than 94.2 million people have been confirmed to be infected and more than 2 million have died by January 16, according to Johns Hopkins University. The true numbers are certainly much higher, due to limited testing, the different ways in which nations count the dead and the deliberate underreporting of some governments.

More: Michigan COVID-19 vaccines: how to find appointments, information on phases

Coronavirus headlines:

EYESIGHT: Tracking doses of Michigan’s COVID-19 vaccine 💉

EYESIGHT: Coronavirus case tracking, outbreaks in Michigan schools

Michigan officials identified the first state case of a new variant of the coronavirus, which is believed to be more contagious, in an infected individual living in Washtenaw County.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) officials announced on Saturday, January 16 that an adult woman living in Washtenaw County has contracted a new variant of COVID-19, known as B.1.1.7. Officials say she recently traveled to the UK, where the variant was first identified, and recently sent part of that country to a strict block to help stem the spread of the virus.

According to the authorities, two additional positive cases of COVID have been identified between close contacts with the woman from Washtenaw County, but it is not clear whether these two individuals are also infected with the virus variant.

Read the full story here.

Michigan released a preliminary schedule to show a projection of when other phases may start receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Michigan recently moved to phase 1B, which includes essential workers, such as teachers, and opens consultations for residents over 65. Some counties have started vaccinating at this level, while others are still waiting for the vaccine supply to increase.

The preliminary timeline is fluid. It states very clearly, “Dates are estimated and are expected to change based on vaccine availability. ”And vaccine availability is limited now – but it should improve in the near future.

See the timeline here.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the state is targeting to resume meals in restaurants in February, after an increase in COVID-19 cases at the end of last year led to a ban of more than two months.

Depending on the trend in COVID-19 cases over the next two weeks, restaurants may resume dining indoors with certain restrictions. Those rules would include a mask mandate, capacity rules and a curfew, Whitmer said.

O Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is once again extending its order to enforce stricter COVID-19 rules across the state. The order, which was set to expire on Friday (January 15), is in effect until the end of the month, but has loosened restrictions on indoor group exercises and contactless sports.

TIMELINE: How COVID trends really changed during Michigan’s order

On February 1, restaurants can welcome customers back inside for the first time since November 17, the day before the MDHHS “break” takes effect.

Michigan is entering a new phase of COVID-19 vaccinations, including teachers, first responders, childcare providers and residents aged 65 and over.

O Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday that the new vaccination phase will begin on Monday, January 11.

“We are pleased to take the state further into the next vaccination phase,” he said. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical officer. “These vaccines are safe and effective, and we especially want our first respondents, teachers and older adults to be vaccinated as soon as possible. The strategy we are announcing today is efficient, effective and equitable, with a focus on making the vaccine available to those who present the highest level of risk, either because of the place where they work or because of age ”.

See the full story here.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is “strongly encouraging” Michigan public schools to reopen for face-to-face learning in early March.

Public schools in Michigan were shut down during the fall due to a increase in COVID-19 cases. Its buildings have been closed for about two months – since the state reported thousands of COVID-19 cases a day in November.

“The value of personal learning for our children is immeasurable and we must do everything in our power to help them have a great education safely,” said Whitmer. “In the past 10 months, medical experts and epidemiologists have closely followed the data and learned that schools can establish a low risk of transmission by ensuring that everyone wears a mask and by adopting careful infection prevention protocols.

I strongly encourage districts to provide as much face-to-face learning as possible, and my administration will work with them to do this. ”

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