Michigan Nears 40,000 Total Coronavirus Cases

MICHIGAN — State coronavirus numbers saw a slight spike in newly reported cases Tuesday.

Michigan health officials announced 1,052 additional cases of the new coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 39,262. The state death toll also saw an uptick, as 160 new deaths attributed to the coronavirus were reported Tuesday. There have been 3,567 deaths in Michigan due to the coronavirus.

The newly reported cases and deaths are slight upticks from what the state had reported in recent days. Tuesday was the state's first day with more than 1,000 new cases reported since Friday.

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State numbers are released daily at 3 p.m. but are indicative of what has been reported by 10 a.m. that day.

Numbers are sometimes altered as public health officials investigate individual cases. Case numbers sometimes do not match numbers provided by respective counties due to several variables, including testing done by private organizations that report to either the state or the county but not both.

Deaths are reported by health care providers and recorded by local health departments. Other data, such the number of individuals who have recovered at the state level, are released on Saturdays.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are several symptoms related to the coronavirus. Potential signs of the new coronavirus include fever, cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. On Monday, the agency added six new symptoms to the list: chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and a new loss of taste or smell.

Tuesday's numbers come as questions remain surrounding what is next for Michigan as it decides whether or not to open its economy.

What's Next For Michigan and Its Communities?

The state on Monday announced its MI Safe Start plan, which unveiled initial steps for reopening certain workplaces across the state.

On Tuesday, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced his plan for allowing some work forces to return to action. The plan includes daily temperature testing and the requirement that workers test negative for the coronavirus before returning to work.

In doing so, he announced the return of 200 general service employees with the city.

"Our goal is that eight hours a day you're working for the city, you are just as safe as your are with your weekend activities at home," Duggan said. "That's a high standard, but we're trying to hit it."

Meanwhile, the state has implemented measures to address struggles felt by residents. The state on Tuesday announced relief options for people behind on student loan payments.

Health Departments Seek Information

The Macomb County Health Department on Tuesday urged residents to begin answering their calls as they reach out to individuals who either have tested positive for the coronavirus or who have been in contact with someone who has.

While they said they acknowledge that some people do not answer unknown calls, as well as the existence of scammers, the need for their input and information is important, they said.

"We have all been conditioned to avoid answering the phone if we do not recognize the number of the person calling, but during this time, a call from your local health department could be someone offering you important information regarding your health," said William Ridella, director/health officer of the Macomb County Health Department. "We ask Macomb County residents to please answer these calls and return voicemails from the Health Department or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services."

Fraud Claims Related To The Coronavirus

Scams and fraudulent activity related to the new coronavirus has caught the attention of the federal government, which last week filed former charges against the owner of a Shelby Township medical spa.

Dr. Charles Mok, the owner of the Allure Medical spa at Van Dyke Avenue and 26 Mile Road, is charged with health care fraud and the conspiracy to commit health care fraud, according to the indictment.

The indictment claims that Mok used the coronavirus pandemic as "an opportunity to bill insurers for Vitamin-C infusions fraudulently represented as COVID-19 treatments and preventative measures. In addition to billing for fraudulent medical treatments at ALLURE, MOK failed to observe appropriate protocols at the clinic minimize the spread of the virus."

Michigan's Numbers in Context

More than 3.1 million cases of the coronavirus have been reported around the world. That number includes over 215,000 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. More than 944,000 people have reportedly recovered from the virus worldwide, as well.

The U.S. leads the world in coronavirus cases and deaths.

Within the nation, Michigan have the seventh most reported cases of the virus. However, it ranks third in the number of people have died from the coronavirus.

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