Coronavirus infections slowing in Michigan amid ongoing ‘third wave,’ data shows - WDIV ClickOnDetroit

Michigan’s risk for a coronavirus outbreak has recently decreased -- but has not altogether vanished -- nearly one month into the new year, according to data from Covid Act Now.

The state of Michigan is now labeled as “high” risk for a coronavirus outbreak by Covid Act Now -- a group of technologists, epidemiologists, health experts and public policy leaders that monitors and identifies each state’s risk level for a COVID-19 outbreak.

At the beginning of 2021, Michigan -- like much of the country -- was considered to be experiencing an “active or imminent outbreak,” which is a “critical” risk level.

21, the state’s risk level has decreased due to fewer new COVID-19 cases reported each day, as the remainder of the country continues to struggle with virus spread.

Michigan is one of only five states labeled as high risk for an outbreak, which is the orange color on Covid Act Now’s national map.

There are currently no states labeled at low risk for a coronavirus outbreak by the group.

Covid Act Now has categorized most states as being at a critical risk for a coronavirus outbreak due to “dangerous” numbers of daily new cases reported in each state.

One of the key factors contributing to Michigan’s high risk status is the number of new COVID-19 cases recorded each day per every 100,000 residents in the state.

Covid Act Now’s data aligns with coronavirus case and death data reported by the state of Michigan.

COVID-19 testing has been steady in Michigan recently with more than 40,000 diagnostic tests reported per day on average, and with a 7-day positive rate average below 7 percent, according to data reported by the state.

The group determines this risk level by identifying how many intensive care unit (ICU) beds are available in the state, and how many may be needed based on the state’s level of coronavirus spread.

Click here for more data on COVID-19 hospitalizations in Michigan.

Covid Act Now also breaks data down at the county level, assigning a coronavirus outbreak risk level for nearly every county in the country.

counties are also labeled at a critical risk level, a number of counties throughout the country -- specifically out west, but also notably in Michigan -- are labeled at lesser risk levels.

According to the data, most Michigan counties, in both the upper and lower peninsulas, are either labeled at high or critical risk levels for a COVID outbreak.

-- Keweenaw, Alger and Luce counties -- are labeled at a severe risk level for a coronavirus outbreak.

This is the first known case of this coronavirus variant in Michigan.

According to authorities, two additional positive COVID cases have been identified among close contacts with the Washtenaw County woman, but it is unclear if those two individuals are also infected with the virus variant.

More: First case of COVID variant detected in Michigan: What to know.

While this is the first reported case of the variant in Michigan, officials say it is likely that more cases exist that have not yet been identified.

Related: 114 takeaways after Michigan officials discuss COVID variant, recent trends, restaurants reopening.

The state of Michigan has begun administering coronavirus vaccinations to eligible populations.

Earlier this month, Whitmer also recommended that K-12 schools return to in-person learning by March 1 after Michigan public schools were shut down during the fall due to a surge in COVID-19 cases