The Michigan Department of Health reported 5,224 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, the highest number of new cases in a single day since December 10.
The state also announced 49 new deaths, 30 of which were identified during a review of vital records.
This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 642,869 and the total number of confirmed deaths to 15,984 since March.
The current increase has pushed the state’s seven-day average for new cases to 3,493, the highest since December 21.
As of Thursday, Michigan had 1,094 confirmed cases of variant B.1.1.7 and two probable cases. Approximately two out of five cases of B.1.1.7, 41%, are associated with outbreaks in Michigan prisons. In addition, two other variants – the B.1.351 strain that originated in South Africa and the B.1.429 strain that originated in California – have been identified, for a total of 1,101 cases of variants across the state.
Michigan coronavirus cases: Tracking the pandemic
Vaccinating Michigan: Following the progress of the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine in the state
The state’s latest vaccine update shows 59,028 doses were administered in Michigan on Tuesday. The seven-day average for doses administered is 64,966, above the state goal of 50,000 per day. Of the population aged 16 or over, 16.9% are fully vaccinated, with a target of 70% vaccinated by the end of the year.
Michigan had a positivity rate of 9.83% on Wednesday, reporting that 4,817 of the 49,009 diagnostic test results returned were positive.
The state also recorded 69,524 probable cases and 1,019 probable deaths, totaling 712,393 cases and 17,003 deaths.
Nushrat Rahman covers issues related to economic mobility for the Detroit Free Press and Bridge Detroit as a member of the body with Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project. Make a tax-deductible contribution to support your work at bit.ly/freepRFA.
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