Michigan Adds Nearly 7,000 New Coronavirus Cases Wednesday

MICHIGAN — Michigan added nearly 7,000 new cases of the coronavirus Wednesday, according to state health officials.

The state added 6,955 cases of the respiratory illness Wednesday, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 373,197. Michigan also reported 81 new COVID-19 deaths, increasing the state's coronavirus death toll to 9,405.

The state reported a confirmed 5,793 new cases on Tuesday and also reported 190 new COVID-19 deaths, 30 of which were identified through a vital records search. The 190 new deaths was the highest the state has reported since April.

More than 165,000 people in Michigan have recovered from the coronavirus, state health officials said on Saturday.

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While the number of confirmed coronavirus cases and fatalities continues to rise in Michigan, restaurant owners continue to deal with losses of their own as they deal with the ramifications of a three-week pause on indoor dining.

That pause, which was challenged by a Michigan restaurant association lawsuit, will continue until Tuesday, a judge ruled on Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney denied the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association's bid for a temporary injunction in the case, meaning restaurants in Michigan still cannot provide indoor dining service until a three-week pause issued by the state ends on Tuesday.

An increase in cases among University of Michigan football players also has led to ramifications, the school announced Wednesday. It's next game, scheduled for Saturday against the Maryland Terrapins, has been canceled.

"The decision by our medical professionals to stop practices and cancel this Saturday's game against Maryland was made with the health, safety and welfare of the student-athletes, coaches and staff as our utmost priority," University of Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel said in a statement. "We have seen an increase in the number of student-athletes unavailable to compete due to positive tests and associated contact tracing due to our most recent antigen and PCR testing results."

Daily testing will continue, the university said in a news release. The earliest practice can resume is Monday, according to the athletic department.