LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Michigan, which not long ago had one of the lowest COVID-19 infection rates in the country, is facing an alarming rise that some experts fear may be a national harbinger.
In what US public health officials have been warning for months that it could happen across the country, the resurgence is being fueled by more flexible restrictions, a more infectious variant and pandemic fatigue.
Although vaccines in Michigan are helping to protect the elderly and other vulnerable people, the increase is increasing hospitalizations among younger adults and forcing the suspension of face-to-face education in some schools.
“It is a stark reminder that this virus is still very real. He could come back roaring if we let our guard down, ”said Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who does not plan to tighten restrictions on indoor meals, sports and other activities that have been eased in recent months.
Michigan last year saw some of the nation’s fiercest resistance to the blockades, including armed demonstrations at the state capitol and an alleged right-wing conspiracy to kidnap the governor.
Whitmer said on Thursday at a Michigan Chronicle event that this increase is different from last fall and spring in part because of the vaccine, which was given to almost two-thirds of residents aged 65 and over – those most at risk of to die. COVID-19 hospitalizations, although higher in recent weeks, remain below the December peak.
Even so, the spread of the coronavirus is worrying at a time when many adults have not yet received a dose.
In the past two weeks, the seven-day average of new cases per day in Michigan has increased 122% – the biggest change in the US – from 1,687 to 3,753, the biggest jump in gross numbers as well. The state’s seven-day per capita case rate is the third highest, behind New York and New Jersey. Michigan reported more than 5,200 new cases on Thursday, the majority in more than three months. The mortality rate has been stable.
“It is very problematic and worrying,” said Dr. Dawn Misra, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Michigan State University.
She cautioned that the trend should not be attributed to just one variant identified more in Michigan than in all other states, Florida, except one, noting that the lags and disparities in the amount of genetic testing done on the virus in the US make comparisons. difficult.
“We are doing a lot of things that increase the risk. That’s where it comes from, “said Misra, who urged health officials to emphasize strategies such as double masking.
Across the country, COVID-19 killed more than 545,000 people. With the launch of the vaccine reaching its pace, deaths plummeted to less than 1,000 a day on average, below a peak of more than 3,400 in mid-January. New cases have also plummeted, but are still at an alarming average of more than 57,000 per day, and the trend is reversing in some states.
Michigan will soon require regular testing of all teen athletes amid outbreaks that occurred after a month-long ban on contact sports was lifted. About 100 teams are out of state men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
And some schools are temporarily closing or delaying their long-awaited reopenings.
The Lansing school district, which has 10,000 students, planned to resume face-to-face learning for the first time next week, starting from fourth to sixth grade. But the reopening was postponed until April 12, after spring break, due to the increase in cases of viruses in the community.
“We went back to where we were right after Christmas with some of our numbers,” said Superintendent Sam Sinicropi on Thursday. “I understand the importance of children being present and employees being present. But we will make the call because of what is happening in our area. “
Keith Elementary School in the Walled Lake district suspended face-to-face classes last week because of sudden and worrying numbers.
“It is one of the things that keeps me up at night. We watched the numbers as we would watch the stock market, ”said superintendent Ken Gutman in a YouTube video.
One of Michigan’s largest high schools, Utica Eisenhower in Macomb County, stopped face-to-face classes on Tuesday until April 19, after 40 students tested positive and more than 400 were quarantined as a result.
“It was certainly a yo-yo ride,” said Susan Milosavljevic, whose daughter, Natasha, is a junior. “We are not mad at the school. They have taken every precaution, making sure that students are wearing masks. Unfortunately, there may be some who test positive. “
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White reported from Detroit. AP data journalist Nicky Forster in New York contributed.