Michigan Coronavirus Cases Surpass 500,000 Monday

MICHIGAN — More than 500,000 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in Michigan, state health officials said Monday.

The state reported 4,992 new cases of the virus Monday, which included all newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state as far back as Saturday. Michigan also reported 80 more COVID-19 deaths Monday, as the coronavirus death toll in the state grew to 12,678.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement after health officials announced the state had reached 500,000 confirmed cases, saying that in order to eliminate the coronavirus Michiganders must "continue fighting."

“Since the first cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Michigan, the vast majority of Michiganders have done their part to protect themselves, their families, and our frontline workers and small business owners. Now, there is hope on the horizon," Whitmer said. "My administration, led by Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, has been working with local health officials and health care providers to begin distributing the safe and effective vaccine, starting with our most vulnerable populations like health care workers and skilled nursing home residents and staff.

"We must remember that it will take some time for the vaccine to be widely available to all Michiganders, and until then, we must continue to do our part to keep ourselves and our fellow Michiganders safe. That means masking up, practicing safe social distancing, and avoiding indoor gatherings where the virus can easily spread from person to person."

Whitmer called on federal officials to pass a relief bill that includes funding for states to fund crucial services like police and fire, emergency responders, Medicaid and higher education.

"These services could face cuts without help from the federal government," she said. "I will continue holding our leaders in Washington accountable."

On Saturday, state health officials reported that 8,983 new cases of the coronavirus had been reported on Friday and Saturday. The state also added 265 COVID-19 deaths during that time period, though 211 of those were identified through a vital records review and had occurred previously, officials said.

As of Thursday, 363,611 people in Michigan have recovered from the coronavirus, according to state health officials.

“COVID-19 didn’t end with the new year," Whitmer said. "There is still more work to do to beat this virus, but I know that Michiganders are up to the challenge. Let’s harness our Michigan grit and eliminate this virus once and for all.”