Nearly 700 New Coronavirus Cases Reported In Michigan Friday

MICHIGAN — The number of coronavirus cases reported in Michigan as of Friday exceeds 115,000, according to the most recent data released by state health officials.

Michigan reported 695 new cases on Friday, pushing the number of statewide cases past the 115,000-case mark to 115,387. The state also reported six more deaths have resulted from the coronavirus, bringing the coronavirus death toll in Michigan to 6,638.

Michigan added 800 new cases of the coronavirus on Thursday. As of last week, over 85,000 people in Michigan had recovered from the virus. An updated number of recoveries will given by the state on Saturday.

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Michigan is No. 17 in the U.S. in reported cases of the coronavirus, having previously ranked 18th in the nation for about a month, according to the World Health Organization. Michigan has reported the ninth most COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. It previously has ranked as high as third in the nation in that category.

According to the World Health Organization, the U.S. is closing in on 7 million cases of the coronavirus, with more than 6.8 having been reported as of Friday morning. More than 202,000 people in the U.S. have died from the virus. Over 4.1 million have recovered.

Over 30.5 million cases of the coronavirus have been reported worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. That number includes more than 953,000 coronavirus deaths and over 22.2 recoveries. Over 7.3 million cases remain active.

Detroit Doctor Recognized For Mask Sanitization Innovation

In the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. grew low on personal protective equipment, such as face masks for first responders. However, an innovation by a dermatologist at Detroit's Henry Ford Health System helped clean face coverings so they could be re-used. Recently, that doctor was recognized for his innovation with an award.

Dr. Iltefat H. Hamzavi has been given the Patient Care Hero award from the American Academy of Dermatology for his innovative use of light therapy to sanitize masks needed by frontline healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Hamzavi helped decontaminate more than 6,000 masks in the first two months of the pandemic at three hospitals around metro Detroit, and this method has been used at numerous institutions across the world.

Read More: Detroit Doctor Recognized For Mask Sanitization Innovation

Michigan Insurers Waiving Coronavirus Testing, Treatment Costs

Nearly all of Michigan's health insurers have agreed to waive all out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 testing and treatments through the end of 2020, the state announced Friday.

The agreement, reached through a partnership between the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services and the state, includes copays, deductibles and coinsurance. These agreements cover more than 92 percent of the commercial health insurance market in Michigan, the state said.

"Ensuring access to appropriate testing and medical treatment without financial concern is an important part of fighting this virus," Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. "We're continuing to work around the clock to slow the spread of this virus and keep people healthy, and I am thankful that Michigan's health insurers have continued to step up to do their part."

Read More: Michigan Insurers Waiving Coronavirus Testing, Treatment Costs