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Coronavirus live updates, March 31: 75 deaths reported, cases reach 7,600

Here are live updates on coronavirus for Tuesday, March 31.
Credit: WZZM/CDC

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.

Tuesday's cases

Michigan officials reported 1,117 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, making it the second day in a row daily cases topped 1,000. The total number of cases is at 7,615.

There were 75 deaths, bringing the death toll to 259. 

Confirmed cases within the Michigan Department of Corrections are at 93. 

Click here to view the state's cumulative data.

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."

At this point, the state has not started reporting the number of recovered cases yet.

RELATED: Why Michigan isn't reporting recovered coronavirus cases yet

The state also updated the number of COVID-19 tests they have done. The reporting system includes tests from the state lab, commercial labs and hospitals. The total number of specimens tested does not equal the number patients tested, since some people might get multiple tests.

The last update is from Tuesday, March 31 at 2:30 p.m.

Credit: Michigan.gov

Michigan gets 400 ventilators from national stockpile

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the state received 400 ventilators from the strategic national stockpile on Tuesday, March 31.

"They’re on their way to hospitals in need across the state to help save lives," said Whitmer in a tweet.

Read more here. 

31 residents, 5 staff members of Cedar Springs nursing home test positive for COVID-19

A Cedar Springs nursing home has 31 residents and five staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19, a statement from a PR firm representing Metron Integrated Health Systems said.

The outbreak is at Metron of Cedar Springs, 400 Jeffery St., and it has a capacity of 77 residents.

Read more here

Michigan officials say the state needs thousands more ventilators

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state's chief medical executive, said Monday that Michigan needs "thousands more" ventilators as more people get the virus. 

"We have about 1,700 ventilators right now," she said. "We think we will need many more than that--by the thousands--so there's no question we’re going to need an additional five to 10,000 ventilators."

Khaldun also said the state will need more medical supplies and trained staff to operate the ventilators. Michigan launched a volunteer website over the weekend to put a call out for medical professionals.

"We encourage medical professionals who are willing and able to sign up. We are truly going to need everyone to chip in and donate their skills and expertise to fight this pandemic," said Khaldun. 

Monday's cases

State health officials said Monday coronavirus cases reached 6,498. There were 52 new deaths reported, making the death toll 184. 

The number of cases within the Michigan Department of Corrections rose to 78.

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.

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