Michigan 'At Risk' For Coronavirus Outbreak: COVID Act Now

MICHIGAN — Michigan is at risk of another coronavirus outbreak and cases are increasing at a rate that could overwhelm hospitals and the state's preparedness is well below international standards, according to COVID Act Now, a non-profit group that utilizes technologists, epidemiologists and other health experts to categorize and rate the coronavirus response across the nation.

Michigan as of Tuesday had a "high" risk level, reporting that the state has a high infection rate and insufficient tracing to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The state on Tuesday reported 454 new cases of the coronavirus, bringing the statewide case total to 66,627. The state also reported an additional 30 deaths attributed to the virus, upping the state's death toll to 6,005. The 30 deaths are the highest the state has reported in a single day since June 30, when 32 deaths were reported. Prior to that, 30 or more deaths had not been reported since June 6.

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The group uses data provided by several sources to create a four-color system rating the management and response of states during the pandemic. The group has been cited throughout the nation as one of the ways to track how well a state has performed in containing the virus.

Michigan has ranked among the best in the country by COVID Act Now standards, at one point among the "green" states, indicating it was "on track" to contain the virus. But as of Tuesday, Michigan is an "orange" state, where it is considered at risk for an outbreak.

Other colors include yellow, denoting that the state doesn't meet the standards for containment, and red, which is for the most severe situations. States such as Texas, Florida and Arizona rank among the "red" states. Only four states (New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island and Connecticut) are currently listed as "green" states.

You can see the full Covid Act Now model for Michigan here.

By trending back into a situation where it is considered at risk, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the state may be forced into taking backward steps after partially reopening its economy during the pandemic.

In an interview with New Day on Tuesday, Whitmer said she will do what she thinks is right by Michiganders.

“We’re going to continue to monitor the numbers," she said. "If they keep moving up, we’re going to dial back if we have to."

As of Tuesday, Michigan ranked 12th in the nation in coronavirus cases and seventh in the country in coronavirus deaths, according to the World Health Organization, which factors in probable cases in addition to confirmed cases.

The U.S. leads the world in cases and deaths, reporting over 3 million cases and 133,000 deaths Tuesday, according to World Health Organization data.

More than 11.8 million cases of the coronavirus had been reported worldwide as of Tuesday, according to the World Health Organization. Of those, over 543,000 people have died and more than 6.8 million have recovered.