More than 1,800 more coronavirus cases, 18 more deaths in MI - WOODTV.com

(WOOD) — Michigan has confirmed more than 1,800 more cases of coronavirus as the state on Wednesday tested nearly 58,000 samples for the virus.

On Friday, the state announced 1,826 more confirmed cases and 18 additional deaths linked to the virus.

The total number of cases in Michigan since March is now 154,688 and the total number of associated deaths is 7,147.

Kent County alone saw 224 new cases reported, bringing its total to 12,473 since the start of the outbreak.

The number of deaths in Barry County was revised down by one to five.

In Wayne County, which was the early epicenter of Michigan’s outbreak but which is now doing better than Kent County, there were 163 new cases confirmed for a total of 36,060 since March.

Neighboring Oakland County has had 19,339 confirmed cases (160 more than the previous day) and 1,182 deaths (no change).

The seven-day average of new cases per million people per day is notably higher than it was at its last peak in April.

The Upper Peninsula is seeing the highest rates of new cases per million people per day, which the Marquette County Health Department on Friday blamed on more gatherings and travel around Labor Day, more tourism in the region, people becoming less strict about mitigation efforts due to “pandemic fatigue,” a return to school and work and a prison outbreak.

The average number of deaths each day has also risen in the last month, though it is still far below where it was in April.