Michigan Adds 4,222 New Coronavirus Cases, 51 More Deaths

MICHIGAN — Michigan added 4,222 new cases of the coronavirus and 51 more COVID-19 deaths Wednesday, according to state health officials.

The state's new figures stand at 488,144 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 12,333 deaths attributed to COVID-19, according to data provided by state health officials. Wednesday's coronavirus update will be the state's last of the year due to the holiday, officials said.

Michigan added 3,414 new cases of the coronavirus and nearly 200 more COVID-19 deaths Tuesday, according to state health officials. On Saturday, Michigan reported that it had eclipsed the 318,000 recovery mark.

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Late Tuesday, a southeast Michigan community lost a prominent figure to the coronavirus. Officials in Dearborn Heights said Mayor Dan Paletko had died from complications related to the coronavirus. He was 70.

Paletko's death came one day before the funeral for Benny Napoleon, the sheriff in Wayne County. Napoleon also had died due to complications following a prolonged fight with the coronavirus.

On Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said flags at the state Capitol would be lowered in honor of Napoleon.