Michigan reports 1,774 new cases of COVID-19 and 6 deaths on Friday

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (FOX 2) - On Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, the state of Michigan reported 1,774 cases of COVID-19 and 6 deaths linked to the virus.

That brings Michigan's total to 557,883 cases and 14,497 deaths.

As evidence piles up about the U.S. lacking a sufficient number of vaccines, Michigan released its own preliminary plan for distributing doses around the state. It also confirmed it would be receiving an extra 60,000 doses from CVS and Walgreen's as a stopgap so local health departments can continue inoculating elderly residents and essential workers.

On Monday, Jan. 11, the state began rolling out more vaccines to people over the age of 65, teachers, police, and more essential workers. In Michigan, every county is in charge of setting up appointments and distributing the vaccine as the supply from Pfizer and Moderna grows.

Most counties have said they don't have the supply necessary but both pharmaceutical companies are working to create and ship more of the doses to every state.

NEW VARIANT IN MICHIGAN

On Monday, chief medical executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldoun said there were a total of 17 confirmed cases of the new B117 COVID variant in Michigan. There are confirmed to be 13 cases in Washtenaw County and 4 Wayne County.

Medical experts say the new COVID variant is much more contagious than the strains we saw last spring and fall.

The University of Michigan announced that it would be suspending all athletics for two weeks after a student tested positive for the new COVID variant.

RESTAURANTS TO REOPEN ON FEB. 1

On Friday, Jan. 22, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced it was loosening some restrictions on COVID-19 orders to allow restaurants to resume indoor dining on Feb. 1 at 25% capacity and with a 10 p.m. curfew.

Additionally, the new order allows movie theaters to reopen concessions

After declines in several metrics, including a 70% reduction in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases per million, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and MDHHS Director Robert Gordon said it was time to reopen restaurants.

"The pause has worked. The efforts we have made together to protect our families, frontline workers and hospitals have dramatically reduced cases and we have saved lives," said Whitmer in a press release.

The health department's order also continues a temporary ban on contact sports indoors. It also allows stadiums to seat 500 people in venues with a capacity of 10,000 people. Stadiums that seat less than 10,000 are allowed to be at 20% or up to 250 people.

GOV. WHITMER CALLS FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING OPTION BY MARCH 1

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the state health department announced Friday they are strongly encouraging school districts to offer in-person learning to pre-k12 students by March 1.

The state said its goal is to have all districts in the state offering learning in the classroom by no later than the beginning of March.

The governor's encouragement comes after she announced plans to move Michigan into phase 2 of its vaccine administration, which makes educators like teachers eligible for inoculation.

MICHIGAN ENTERS NEXT PHASE OF VACCINATIONS

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday that the state is moving on to its next phase of distributing the COVID-19 vaccine. This means Michiganders over 65, frontline workers, essential first responders, and teachers will be eligible to get the shot beginning Jan. 11, 2021.

All counties may begin vaccinating residents over age 65 and seniors are urged to visit Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine to find local health departments and other local vaccine clinics near them that are ready to book appointments.

Eligible essential workers, teachers and childcare workers will be notified by their employers about vaccine clinic dates and locations. Eligible individuals should not go to any of the clinics without an appointment.

Phases are as follows:

Phase 1A: Paid and unpaid persons serving in healthcare settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials and are unable to work from home as well as residents in long term care facilities.

Phase 1B: Persons 75 years of age or older and frontline essential workers in critical infrastructure.

Phase 1C: Individuals 16 years of age or older at high risk of severe illness due to COVID-19 infection and some other essential workers whose position impacts life, safety and protection during the COVID-19 response.

Phase 2: Individuals 16 years of age or older.

CONTACT TRACING

Michigan officials are also urging people to download the MI COVID Alert app to help notify of possible exposure and with contact tracing.

Authorities are still urging everyone to answer their phones if you get a call from the health department. Text messages are also now being sent in advance of the incoming call.

Meanwhile, everyone is also still reminded to keep doing the basics to stay healthy - wear a mask, wash your hands and keep your distance from other people.

PREVIOUS DAILY COVID-19 CASE COUNTS AND DEATHS

Thursday, Jan. 28 - 1,872 cases, 80 deaths (67 from a review of vital records)
Wednesday, Jan. 27 - 1,681 cases, 6 deaths
Tuesday, Jan. 26 - 1,476 cases, 79 deaths (44 from a review of vital records)
Monday, Jan. 25 - 3,011 cases, 35 deaths over two days as the state does not report data on Sundays
Saturday, Jan. 23 - 1,601 cases, 221 deaths (205 from a review of vital records)
Friday, Jan. 22 - 2,157 cases, 17 deaths
Thursday, Jan. 21 - 2,165 cases, 148 deaths (128 from a review of vital records)
Wednesday, Jan. 20 - 2,031 cases, 40 deaths
Tuesday, Jan. 19 - 1,738 cases, 41 deaths
Monday, Jan. 18 - 2,843 cases, 20 deaths over two days as the state no longer reports data on Sundays
Saturday, Jan. 16 - 1,932 cases, 103 (90 from vital records review)
Friday, Jan. 15- 2,598 cases, 29 deaths
Wednesday, Jan. 13 - 2,694 cases, 32 deaths
Tuesday, Jan. 12 - 1,994 cases, 100 deaths (50 from vital records review)
Monday, Jan. 11 - 4,536 cases, 47 deaths over two days
Saturday, Jan. 9 - 2,706 cases, 222 deaths (206 from vital records review)
Friday, Jan. 8 - 3,625 cases, 38 deaths
Thursday, Jan. 7 - 4,015 cases, 176 more deaths (138 from vital records review)
Wednesday, Jan. 6 - 4,326 cases, 51 deaths
Tuesday, Jan. 5 - 2,291 cases, 189 more deaths on Tuesday (117 from vital records review)
Monday, Jan. 4 - 4,992 cases, 80 deaths over two days as the state no longer reports data on Sundays
Saturday, Jan. 2 - 8,983 cases, 265 deaths (includes data over three days)
Saturday, Dec. 19 (2020) - 3,896 cases, 187 deaths (155 from vital records review)
Friday, Dec. 18 (2020) - 4,180 cases, 66 deaths
Thursday, Dec. 17 (2020) - 4,024 cases, 190 deaths (125 from vital record review)
Wednesday, Dec. 16 (2020) - 4,037 cases, 83 deaths
Tuesday, Dec. 15 (2020) - 4,730 cases, 183 deaths (71 from vital records review)
Monday, Dec. 14 (2020) - 7,205 cases, 90 deaths over two days as the state no longer reposts data on Sundays
Saturday, Dec. 12 (2020) - 4,486 cases, 206 deaths (176 from vital records review)
Friday, Dec. 11 (2020) - 5,157 cases, 61 deaths
Thursday, Dec. 10 (2020) - 5,937 cases, 182 deaths (132 from vital records review)
Wednesday, Dec. 9 (2020) - 4,905 cases, 75 deaths
Tuesday, Dec. 8 (2020) - 5,909 cases, 191 deaths (79 from vital records review)
Monday, Dec. 7 (2020) - 9,350 cases, 93 deaths over two days as the state no longer reports cases on Sundays