Michigan Reports 1,681 New Coronavirus Cases, 6 Deaths Wednesday

MICHIGAN — More than 1,600 new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in Michigan Wednesday, but the state reported fewer than 10 new COVID-19 deaths, according to data provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Wednesday.

Michigan reported 1,681 new coronavirus cases Wednesday, bringing the statewide case total to 554,237, according to the MDHHS. The state also reported six deaths attributed to the coronavirus on Wednesday, bringing the coronavirus death toll in Michigan to 14,411.

The state reported 1,476 new cases of the coronavirus and 79 more deaths on Tuesday, according to the MDHHS. More than 463,000 people in Michigan have recovered from the coronavirus, according to state health officials.

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Wednesday's figures were released as the state continues to deal with a new, faster-spreading variant of the coronavirus that has already been confirmed in at least 13 people in Washtenaw County and at least four people in Wayne County, according to health officials.

The spread of the COVID-19 variant — known as B.1.1.7 — has concerned health officials in Washtenaw County to the point that on Wednesday those officials and administrators from the University of Michigan issued a stay-at-home recommendation for students who live on or near campus.

"We are very concerned about the potential for this variant to spread quickly," county health Officer Jimena Loveluck said in a statement Wednesday. "We are working closely with the university to take coordinated steps to control the current outbreak and understand the situation more fully. We also recognize that these are difficult actions and appreciate the university's continued partnership. This stay-in-place recommendation will help us reduce the impact of the variant and COVID-19 in general as we investigate."