Michigan Surpasses 18,000 Coronavirus Deaths Thursday

LANSING, MI — More than 18,000 Michiganders have died from COVID-19, according to the most recent coronavirus data released Thursday by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The state reported 3,514 new cases of the coronavirus and 115 more COVID-19 deaths Thursday, bringing Michigan's total coronavirus numbers to 858,050 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 18,054 deaths, according to state data.

Ninety-two of the deaths reported Thursday were identified through a vital records review and occurred previously, officials said.

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Officials reported on Saturday that 660,124 people in the state had recovered from the virus.

Michigan's latest coronavirus death toll update comes shortly after state officials announced they were relaxing some COVID-19 safety measures as the number of newly reported cases begins to decline.

The state health department lifted its COVID-19 epidemic order requiring face masks for outdoor activities with fewer than 100 people, replacing it with a new order that takes effect Thursday and expires on May 31.

"The commitment by Michiganders to receive the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is allowing us to move toward a return to normal," MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said in a statement Tuesday while announcing the decision. "The vaccines work. That means once Michiganders are fully vaccinated, they do not have to abide by as many health guidelines because of the protection the vaccine provides from the spread of the virus."

State officials said 39.3 percent of Michigan residents 16 and older had been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and 50.6 percent had received at least a first dose.