Here is the latest information on the coronavirus in Michigan, including the number of cases state officials report and other updates affecting West Michigan.
Wednesday's cases
The state reported 1,719 new cases on April 1, bringing the state total to 9,334. The death toll has now hit 337, with 78 new deaths reported Wednesday.
According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, 141 inmates and 25 employees have tested positive for the virus.
Twenty percent of Michigan cases are in people ages 50 to 59, and men have accounted for 65% of COVID-19 deaths in the state. State data shows the youngest person to die from the virus was 25 and the oldest was 107.
There were also 3,613 tests processed in the last day. The total number of tests is 29,324. The reporting system includes tests from the state lab, commercial labs and hospitals. The total number of specimens tested does not equal the number of patients tested, since some people might get multiple tests. The last update is from Wednesday, April 1 at 1 p.m.
The state emphasizes that the report of cumulative data is "provisional and subject to change. As public health investigations of individual cases continue, there will be corrections to the status and details of referred cases that result in changes to this report."
At this point, the state has not started reporting the number of recovered cases yet.
Whitmer's office announces Thursday morning press conference
On Tuesday, the governor's office said Whitmer is tentatively announcing her plans for the duration of the school year on Thursday. The governor and chief medical executive are now set to hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m. on April 2.
Whitmer declares disaster declaration, requests extension of emergency
Whitmer has requested the legislature expand the emergency declaration by 70 days in order to keep providing resources for residents amid the pandemic. She has also declared a state of disaster for the state.
Kent County reports second death
The Kent County Health Department reported a second COVID-19 death on Wednesday. The department says the patient was a woman in her 80s with an underlying health condition. There are a total of 118 cases in the county, according to the health department's website.
First Michigan Department of Corrections employee dies
A Detroit transportation officer with the Department of Corrections died on Tuesday from COVID-19.
Tuesday's cases
Michigan officials reported 1,117 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, making it the second day in a row daily cases topped 1,000. The total number of cases is at 7,615.
There were 75 deaths, bringing the death toll to 259.
Confirmed inmate cases within the Michigan Department of Corrections are at 93.
STATE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COVID-19
Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to:
- If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, call your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, call the nearest hospital.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others when in a public setting.
More coronavirus coverage from 13 ON YOUR SIDE:
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- Map: Where are COVID-19 cases in Michigan?
- Coronavirus live updates, April 1: Michigan reports 1,719 new cases, 78 deaths
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