Community risk levels rise, as state reports 16,445 new COVID-19 cases in the last week

Coronavirus cases have continued to rise statewide, with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reporting another increase in its weekly report released Tuesday.

The department reports a total of 2,652,659 Michiganders tested positive for COVID-19, an additional 16,445 cases compared to the previous week’s increase of 16,681 cases. In total, 37,291 people have died from the virus with 149 deaths reported on Tuesday compared to 160 the week prior. 

The virus has been detected in all of Michigan’s 83 counties. The state’s COVID-19 fatality rate is currently at 1.5%

As of Tuesday, the state reported a total of 882 COVID-19 hospitalizations across Michigan hospitals, a decrease of 11 from the previous week, while 106 adults were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). That’s down from 121 last week.

The first two cases of COVID-19 were reported in the state on March 10, 2020. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency that day.

Most Michigan communities remain at “low” community risk levels. There are four counties at “high” risk level: Delta, Gogebic, Iron and Kalamazoo. 

There are 35 counties across the state at “medium” risk level: Alcona, Alpena, Alger, Antrim, Barry, Benzie, Calhoun, Dickinson, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Houghton, Ionia, Kalkaska, Kent, Keweenaw, Leelanau, Luce, Macomb, Manistee, Marquette, Mecosta, Menominee, Monroe, Montcalm, Montmorency, Oakland, Ontonagon, Otsego, Presque Isle, Sanilac, Schoolcraft, St. Joseph, St. Clair and Washtenaw. 

Johns Hopkins University reports that there are about 564 million confirmed cases worldwide and 6.3 million deaths. The United States makes up a significant portion of those, as 89.6 million confirmed cases and 1,024,297 deaths have been recorded nationally.

Michigan currently has an overall vaccination rate (one or more doses) of 67.6%, putting it in the lower third of state vaccination rates. About 60.7% of the state’s population has been fully vaccinated.

About 77% of the entire United States population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.