MICHIGAN, USA — Here is the latest information on the coronavirus in Michigan, including the number of cases state officials report and other updates affecting West Michigan.
Monday's cases
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 196 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, however these numbers are lower due to a backlog of data. The total number of cases is now at 43,950.
There were 86 deaths reported Monday, but the state again said, there is a backlog in the data. The death toll has reached 4,135.
MDHHS said the software that collects the thousands of test results stopped processing messages Sunday evening. The issue has been resolved, but there is still a backlog in the data. The numbers published Monday were what was processed as of 4 p.m.
The latest data on recoveries is from Saturday, May 3. It shows that 15,659 people have recovered from the virus. The state updates this data every Saturday. A recovery is counted as anyone who is 30 days out from the onset of their symptoms.
The Michigan Department of Corrections reports 1,870 cases and 45 deaths. The Michigan National Guard will be assisting the MDOC to test all of the inmates at Upper Peninsula prisons starting on Monday.
The Federal Corrections Institute reports 95 cases and two deaths.
There are 1,948 COVID-19 patients in hospitals across the state, including 670 on ventilators and 839 in critical care.
Michigan started reporting the number of cases at long term care facilities. That data can be seen here.
Michigan's case fatality rate is 9%, but health officials say this will likely decline as testing of people with mild symptoms becomes more widely available.
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."
Monday's numbers delayed
The 3 p.m. update on coronavirus numbers are delayed. The state's website says, "Data for May 4, 2020 will be delayed until this evening due to a software issue."
The Michigan coronavirus website says that thousands of test results are sent to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services daily through a software that connects health reporting systems.
On Sunday, May 3, the software malfunctioned and stopped processing messages from COVID-19 testing labs, the state said. The issue has been resolved, but the processing of backlogged testing results will take time.
MDHHS said no information was lost during this.
Whitmer creates Michigan COVID-19 Office of Accountability
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Monday, May 4, which created the Michigan COVID-19 Office of Accountability within the State Budget Office.
The new accountability office will provide oversight of the spending which was used to address the crisis, the governor's office said. The office is required to report its work regularly to the governor and the state budget director.
Whitmer to provide update on state's COVID-19 response at 3 p.m.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun will provide an update regarding the state’s response efforts to COVID-19 at 3 p.m. on Monday, May 4.
2nd Mecosta County resident dies from COVID-19
The District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) confirmed Monday a Mecosta County resident has died due to COVID-19. The individual is a female in her 60’s who died at home.
Michigan Veteran Homes confirms 3 COVID-19 cases
One resident and two staff members at Michigan Veteran Homes have tested positive for COVID-19, officials at Michigan Veteran Homes confirmed Monday. The resident was placed in the facility's isolation unit.
The facility said it's started a strict screening process (health questionnaire and temperature check) for all individuals that enter. Additionally, the Homes are closed to visitors and communal dining and activities have been halted.
"We have also implemented a face mask policy for all staff, in addition to following all other necessary resident and personal health safety measures," said in a statement. "Those staff working on the isolation unit are following all the recommended processes for providing care to an individual with COVID-19 and have access to all the necessary PPE to protect themselves and the resident."
Sunday's cases
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 547 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday. This brings the total to 43,754.
There were 29 deaths recorded, which is the lowest increase since 21 deaths were reported on March 29. The death toll has reached 4,049.
The state health department is updating the number of recoveries on Saturdays. The latest data from Saturday, May 2 shows that 15,659 people have recovered from the virus in Michigan. This nearly double the 8,342 recoveries from last Saturday. A recovery is counted as a confirmed COVID-19 patient who is 30 days out from the onset of their symptoms.
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
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
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 stories on 13 ON YOUR SIDE:
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
