Michigan Reports Largest Spike In New Coronavirus Cases Since May

MICHIGAN — Michigan health officials on Thursday reported the largest single-day spike in new coronavirus cases the state has seen since mid-May.

The state reported 543 new cases of the virus on Thursday, as well as an additional 15 deaths attributed to the virus.

Michigan has not reported more than 500 new cases in a single day since May 31. The 543 new cases reported Thursday are the highest the state has seen during a single day update since May 29, when over 600 new cases were reported.

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As of Thursday morning, Michigan has confirmed 64,675 cases of the coronavirus. The state has also confirmed a total of 5,966 deaths attributed to the coronavirus in the state after Thursday's update. More than 51,000 people have recovered from the virus in Michigan, according to state data.

Data provided by state health officials in Michigan suggests the actual totals for both coronavirus cases and deaths could be higher. State health officials have reported that there could be 7,003 additional cases of the virus that are currently deemed "probable" cases.

The recent uptick in newly confirmed cases has prompted a series of adjustments by state officials, who at one point seemed on track to continue reopening sections of its economy.

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The governor earlier during the pandemic had said she hoped that all of Michigan would be able to progress to Phase 5 of her MI Safe Start plan in time for the Fourth of July holiday. On Tuesday, when she announced plans for how schools might return to in-class instruction during the fall, she said that wasn't likely.

The same day Whitmer said the state wouldn't be taking steps forward, she hinted they may have to take steps backward to flatten the curve of new cases, according to WWJ Radio.

On Wednesday, Whitmer announced she was ordering the closure of indoor service at many bars in Michigan's Lower Peninsula due to an uptick in new cases.

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"We owe it to our front line heroes who have sacrificed so much during this crisis to do everything we can to slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the chance of a resurgence like we are seeing in other states," Whitmer said in a statement.

Michigan currently ranks 11th in the U.S. in coronavirus cases, according to the World Health Organization, which takes into account probable cases. Michigan is sixth in the country in coronavirus deaths. The state has ranked as high as third in both categories at points during the coronavirus pandemic.

In the U.S., over 2.8 million cases of the virus have been reported. More than 131,000 people have died from the virus in the U.S., and over 1.1 million people have recovered from the virus, according to World Health Organization data.

More than 10.9 million cases of the virus have been reported worldwide, including over 521,000 deaths. More than 6.1 million people have recovered from the virus worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.