Michigan Tops 72,000 Confirmed Coronavirus Cases

MICHIGAN — The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Michigan crossed the 72,000 mark on Friday, according to the most recent data provided by state health officials.

Michigan reported 660 new coronavirus cases, bringing the statewide total to 72,502. The state also reported seven new deaths Friday to bring the state's coronavirus death toll to 6,108.

The state had reported 645 cases of the virus and 16 coronavirus deaths on Thursday.

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Michigan data also released the number of its probable coronavirus cases and deaths. As of Friday, the state has reported more than 8,000 probable cases of the virus and 247 probable deaths.

Factoring in probable numbers, Michigan has more than 80,000 cases of the coronavirus and over 6,300 coronavirus deaths.

In the wake of a recent uptick in coronavirus cases, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday signed an executive order doubling down on her previously ordered requirement for the use of face coverings while in indoor public spaces.

The new order clarifies that businesses may not assume that an unmasked customer cannot medically tolerate a face covering, though they can accept a customer's verbal representation to that effect. It also requires public safety officers to wear a face covering unless doing so would seriously interfere in the performance of their responsibilities, and clarifies that wearing a mask at a polling place for purposes of voting in an election is not required, but strongly encouraged.

Michigan on Friday also got some direction on how it will proceed with high school athletics during the Fall season, as the MHSAA said the state will plan on playing Fall sports as scheduled.

The MHSAA is moving forward with a plan that first calls for all fall sports to be started and played as scheduled. However, if the situation deems it necessary, the start of some or all fall sports practices or competitions could be delayed, the organization said.

Michigan ranks 13th in the nation in coronavirus cases, according to data provided by the World Health Organization Friday, which utilizes probable cases as well as confirmed ones. The state ranks seventh in the country in deaths attributed to the coronavirus.

The U.S. leads the world in coronavirus cases and deaths, reporting more than 3.7 million cases and over 141,000 deaths as of Friday morning, according to the World Health Organization. Over 1.6 million people in the U.S. have recovered from the virus.

More than 14 million coronavirus cases have been reported worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. More than 595,000 people have died from the virus around the globe. Over 8.3 million people have recovered from the virus worldwide.