Michigan reports 1,932 cases of COVID-19 and 13 deaths on Saturday

Michigan reported a low death total and another day of declining COVID-19 cases as the world reported what would have been an unimaginable number: 2 million dead from the coronavirus.

The state reported another 1,932 cases and 103 more deaths.The deaths announced today include 90 deaths identified during a Vital Records review. That brings Michigan's total to 535,534 cases and 13,804 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 incoulating 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.

RESTAURANTS COULD REOPEN ON FEB. 1

On Wednesday, Jan. 13, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced it was loosening some restrictions on COVID-19 orders to allow for non-contact sports and indoor group exercises to resume while also indicating plans to reopen restaurants to indoor dining in a few weeks.

These new regulations are being adjusted as the state is seeing declines in hospital capacity and cases per million.

Gathering limits remain at a strict 10 persons per household, however - an indication that the coronavirus is still infecting at levels higher than what health experts want to see. 

"We are reopening cautiously because caution is working to save lives.  The new order allows group exercise and non-contact sports, always with masks and social distancing, because in the winter it’s not as easy to get out and exercise and physical activity is important for physical and mental health," said MDHHS Director Robert Gordon.

The restriction of indoor dining was extended until Feb. 1, at which point the state says it is planning on easing rules on restaurants and bars.

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.

CASE, HOSPITAL AND PERCENT POSITIVITY RATES IN MICHIGAN

As of January 13, 2021, health officials are continuing to see improvements - but are also seeing a plateau - in three key COVID-19 metrics in the state. 

Michigan is seeing an average of 266 cases per million people per day. Dr. Khaldun said this is up slightly from a low of 239 on Friday, Dec. 25 but still down significantly from the peak of 740 cases per million on Saturday, Nov. 14.

The percent of hospital beds being used for COVID-19 patients has also plateaued after weeks of decline. As of Jan. 13, the capacity was at 12% for beds with COVID-19 patients. This peaked at 19.6% on Dec. 4. 

The state is seeing a slight increase in test positivity, which is attributed to people traveling over the winter holidays. Dr. Khaldun said the state is currently at 9.1% after reaching a low of 8.1% on Monday, Dec. 28 and increasing up to 10% since then.  

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.

SCHOOL OUTBREAKS

On Monday, Sept. 14, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services started tracking outbreaks in schools across the entire state.

Using data from 45 health departments, the updates will be released every Monday at 3 p.m. and will include K-12, college and universities, number of cases, and if the cases involved staff, students, or both. It does not include cases where the virus was contracted from outside of the school.

You can read about the latest outbreak data in schools here

PREVIOUS DAILY COVID-19 CASE COUNTS AND DEATHS

  • 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
  • Thursday, Dec. 3 (2020) - 7,146 new cases, 175 deaths (112 from vital records review) 
  • Wednesday, Dec. 2 (2020) - 6,955 new cases, 81 deaths
  • Tuesday, Dec. 1 (2020) - 5,793 cases, 190 deaths (30 deaths from vital records review) 
  • Monday, Nov. 30 (2020) - 10,428 cases, 98 deaths over two days as the state no longer reports cases on Sundays
  • Saturday, Nov. 28 (2020) - 8,080 cases, 103 deaths (70 deaths from a vital records review)