More Than 2,000 People Have Died From Coronavirus In Michigan

MICHIGAN — Statewide totals for the new coronavirus continue to climb, with Michigan now reporting more than 29,000 total cases and attributing more than 2,000 deaths to the virus.

There were 1,204 new coronavirus cases reported in Michigan Thursday, bringing the statewide total to 29,263. The additional 172 deaths reported by the state Thursday bring that total to 2,093.

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State numbers are released daily at 3 p.m. but are indicative of what has been reported by 10 a.m. that day.

Numbers are sometimes altered as public health officials investigate individual cases. Case numbers sometimes do not match numbers provided by respective counties due to several variables, including testing done by private organizations that report to either the state or the county but not both.

Deaths are reported by health care providers and recorded by local health departments.
Other data, such the number of individuals who have recovered at the state level, are released on Saturdays.

In Detroit, where the majority of Michigan's coronavirus cases have been reported, the total number of reported cases has grown to more than 7,000. The updated numbers released on Thursday saw the city's total number climb to 7,383. There also have been 546 deaths reported.

As grim as the mounting numbers may seem, one area hospital is preparing for it to continue even after current restrictions are lifted. Beaumont Hospital Wayne has temporarily closed as the hospital prepares for a second surge of coronavirus patients to visit the facility, which it has deemed only for patients suffering from the virus.

"This is in preparation for a second surge that could occur after the stay at home restrictions end. The pandemic remains very unpredictable," Beaumont said Wednesday in a statement.

Detroit this week began taking extra measures along with Henry Ford Health System to protect residents deemed at risk. The city and its health department have partnered with Henry Ford Health System to deploy teams of volunteers to conduct rapid coronavirus testing at nursing homes and homeless shelters across the city.

The teams plan on visiting 26 nursing homes and 20 homeless shelters in the coming days and weeks to test some of the most vulnerable populations at risk for the coronavirus.

The testing strategy was a topic discussed Thursday in a press conference hosted by city mayor Mike Duggan. In the same press conference, it was announced that James Craig, the city's police chief, had returned to work after a bout with the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the social impact of the coronavirus continues to affect the city and southeast Michigan. The PGA Tour on Thursday announced the rescheduling of its tour stop, including the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit. The visit was scheduled for May but will now take place in July.

Wayne County, which reports separately from Detroit, has 5,619 total cases of the coronavirus, according to the newly released numbers. At least 435 patients in Wayne County have died.

Oakland County continues to lead all Michigan counties in total number of reported cases, and has 5,778 cases, according to Thursday's data. There were 420 deaths reported in Oakland County as well.

Macomb County has reported 3,992 cases and 354 deaths.

The state has reported that 7 percent of Michiganders with the coronavirus have died.

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