GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Here is the latest information on the coronavirus in Michigan, including the number of cases state officials report and other updates affecting West Michigan.
Thursday's cases
The state reported 1,457 new cases and 80 new deaths. The total case count is now 10,791 and the death toll has reached 417.
The age range of patients who have died from the virus is 20-107 years old on Thursday. On Wednesday, the youngest patient to die was 25.
The state is also now including the race of those both who have the virus and who have died from the virus. Right now, 40% of people who have died from COVID-19 in Michigan were black or African American people.
The state emphasizes that the report of cumulative data is "provisional and subject to change. As public health investigations of individual cases continue, there will be corrections to the status and details of referred cases that result in changes to this report." The state is also no longer reporting new cases by county.
At this point, the state has not started reporting the number of recovered cases yet.
The total number of tests is 29,324. The reporting system includes tests from the state lab, commercial labs and hospitals. The total number of specimens tested does not equal the number of patients tested, since some people might get multiple tests. But, the last update is from Wednesday, April 1 at 1 p.m.
Whitmer suspends face-to-face learning for remainder of school year
Students will not return to school this semester and will instead finish out the year remotely, unless restrictions are lifted. Schools will move to a distance learning system for the duration of the semester.
►Read more: Whitmer closes schools for remainder of the year
Whitmer's update on state's response
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was joined by Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh S. Khaldun to provide updates on the state's COVID-19 response.
Virtual town hall about COVID-19 at 7 p.m.
Whitmer and Khaldun will take part in a virtual town hall about the state's response to COVID-19 on Thursday, April 2.
The event will be produced and broadcasted by Detroit TV stations. 13 ON YOUR SIDE will air the event starting at 7 p.m. on television and via live streams on Facebook, YouTube and 13onyourside.com
During the town hall, Whitmer will answer questions about how the state is responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Questions can be submitted online.
►Read More: https://bit.ly/2wVxfz1
Wednesday's cases
The state reported 1,719 new cases on April 1, bringing the state total to 9,334. The death toll has now hit 337, with 78 new deaths reported Wednesday.
Twenty percent of Michigan cases are in people ages 50 to 59, and men have accounted for 65% of COVID-19 deaths in the state. State data shows the youngest person to die from the virus was 25 and the oldest was 107.
At this point, the state has not started reporting the number of recovered cases yet.
STATE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COVID-19
Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to:
- If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, call your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, call the nearest hospital.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others when in a public setting.
MORE COVID-19 NEWS:
- Whitmer declares state of disaster, seeks to extend emergency declaration
- Wall Street futures, global markets gain ground Thursday
- Report: British Open may be canceled
- Social Security recipients won't have to file tax return to get stimulus check after all
- Grand Rapids grocery store beginning to see normal shopping habits
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