| The Detroit News
Michigan added 1,738 new coronavirus cases and 41 deaths linked to COVID-19 on Tuesday, as state metrics for tracking infections continued to have a positive trend.
The latest figures bring the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Michigan to 540,115 and deaths to 13,865 since the virus was first detected in March, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.
Tuesday’s count was the lowest number of new cases since October 21.
Data on hospitalizations, tests and new cases showed hopeful trends last week, as the state appears to be experiencing a second wave that hit the end of November. The percentage of COVID-19 tests with positive results dropped to 6.7%, from 8.9% in the previous week.
The state also registered 16,452 new cases last week, down from 21,955 new cases the previous week. In late November, the state set a weekly record of 50,892 cases.
On Monday, the state notified 1,886 hospitalized adults with confirmed cases of COVID-19, a 45% drop from the total five weeks earlier.
The current phase allows the group of 65 and older to receive a vaccine, as well as frontline employees such as first responders, some state and federal officials and prison and prison officials, but many health departments and hospitals say they do not have vaccine to meet demand. Preschool teachers in grade 12 and child care providers are also eligible for vaccination.
Vaccines continue to be distributed to health professionals and residents of nursing homes. Supplies are limited and are running out seven days after Michigan receives them, and “that’s a good thing,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
“Please be patient, we don’t have enough vaccines and it takes time to administer, but we are building quickly and it looks like we will be getting more vaccines soon,” said Whitmer on Wednesday. “This is the best tool we have to end this pandemic. “
The state received orders for 444,306 doses of the vaccine, but only received a destination of 258,100 doses from the federal government to allocate this week; 117,850 first doses and 140,250 second doses, said Lynn Sutfin, a spokesman for the state health department.
Whitmer’s administration also announced that its “work plan” is to start allowing meals in restaurants and bars on February 1.
The plan will include capacity limits and curfew, and the “final decision depends on continued stabilization of COVID-19 data”, according to a press release from Robert Gordon, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services .
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services identified the state’s first case of the new variant COVID-19, B.1.1.7., On Saturday in an adult woman living in Washtenaw County.
The woman recently traveled to the United Kingdom, where the variant originated, according to a department statement. Contacts close to the person have been reported and are in quarantine.
► More: What we know about the COVID variant found in Michigan
The most recent data
During the week of January 9, Michigan dropped from the nation’s 20th largest number of cases to 24th. The state continues to occupy eighth place in number of deaths, according to the COVID data tracker at the Centers for Disease Control.
Michigan ranks 33rd in the country for most hospitalizations and 14th for most patients in intensive care units, according to Becker’s Hospital Review.
In Michigan, 12.1% of hospital beds are occupied by patients with coronavirus, health officials said.
As of Monday, 2,114 adults were hospitalized across the state with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, including 475 in intensive care and 236 in ventilators, with 74% capacity ICU beds, according to state data.
Although Nevada, Alabama, Nevada, California and Georgia have the highest rates of hospitalizations, midwestern states, including Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan, are experiencing slow and steady decline or stability, according to state data.
Active cases remain more prevalent in Wayne County, with 62,936 cases and an additional 27,563 cases in Detroit. Oakland County has 67,307 cases and Macomb 53,400.
The state’s case tracker also noted that Genesse, Ingham, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa and Washtenaw counties have high case rates.
Vaccines launched in phases
Vaccines will be launched in phases. The first priorities for vaccination in Michigan will be frontline health workers and people who live and work in long-term care facilities.
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state’s chief medical officer, said the process will take several months to complete at the current rate, but the general public must prepare to receive the vaccine in late spring.
► More: What to know about getting vaccinated for COVID-19 in Michigan
“We are working hard to bring more vaccines to Michigan and to identify additional locations for people who want to be vaccinated. Please don’t appear anywhere without an appointment, “she said.
The virus is responsible for more than 400,000 deaths and 24 million confirmed infections in the United States.
Authorities are tracking at least 774 active outbreaks by Thursday, down from last week’s 887 outbreaks. Of the outbreaks, 128 were reported in the second week of January, including 37 in long-term care facilities.
The main categories of outbreaks continue to be manufacturing and construction sites, health, retail, schools and social gatherings.
The state reported three additional school outbreaks on January 11, adding to a list of 72 school outbreaks.
The state considers 442,408 people recovered from the virus by Friday.
Twitter: @SarahRahal_
Contributed by Craig Mauger.