Michigan experienced its typical Sunday decline in reported cases and deaths of COVID-19 on July 12.
The number of new coronavirus cases fell below 400 for the first time in nearly a week.
Daily figures provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services show 390 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, as well as one additional confirmed death. It is the lowest number of new cases since 297 were reported on July 6.
The figures on weekends, particularly on Sundays, have typically been lower since the Michigan outbreak began, as not all county health departments provide an update on those days to MDHHS.
Michigan reports fewer than 400 new coronavirus cases for the first time in six days
Michigan has seen a total of 69,338 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 6,068 confirmed deaths since March. The MDHHS also reports a total of 7,438 probable cases and an additional 246 probable deaths.
While recent COVID-19 numbers have seen an upward trend, with a seven-day average of 494, up from 373 the previous week, the death rate has dropped to 8.8 percent, from 9.1 percent on Sunday past. Health officials, however, say trends in death rates generally lag behind in case counts.
Here are the latest stories about coronaviruses in Michigan.
Betsy DeVos says CDC coronavirus school guidelines ‘must be flexible’
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos told CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday morning that CDC’s guidelines for schools to reopen this fall should be flexible.
“The CDC guidelines are just that, they must be flexible and apply as appropriate to the situation,” DeVos, speaking from Grand Rapids, told CNN’s Dana Bash in an interview of more than 20 minutes.
DeVos repeatedly said that the key is for children to return to school full time.
“We know that there will be critical points and that it will be necessary to deal with them on a case-by-case basis,” he said.
The secretary said that full-time learning this fall will vary, depending on the district, but the bottom line is that schools should be open.
She said she agrees that schools should close for a short time if there is a prevalence of coronavirus cases, but schools should make plans to deal with those situations when they arise, and not prepare to start the school year remotely.
When asked if the US Department of Education had guidelines in place for districts to follow if such situations arose, DeVos said districts should have individual plans since each situation is different.
“Schools must do what is right on the ground for their students and for their situation,” said DeVos. “There is no uniform approach that we can take or should take across the country.”
The secretary was asked if she was concerned about a record number of new COVID-19 cases on Friday, July 10 and the fact that 45 of 50 states are seeing higher daily averages of new cases now compared to the close of schools in March.
DeVos noted that children are a low-risk demographic and said: “There is nothing in the data to suggest that it is dangerous for them and it is more for their health and well-being that they return to school.”
“We want to see every school district in every state doing the same thing to say not what we can’t do, but what we can do and what we are going to do,” he said.
To view the full interview, click here.
Trump and Biden take different approaches to campaigning, amid concerns about the coronavirus in Michigan
While President Donald Trump’s reelection activists are knocking on doors in Michigan, organizers of alleged Democratic candidate Joe Biden are concerned that resuming normal campaign activities could contribute to the spread of COVID-19.
Holding major events where people have the potential to come into close contact runs counter to recommendations from public health experts, but Michigan remains a major presidential battleground with 16 electoral votes coveted by both candidates.
Trump and Biden held large demonstrations and events across the country when the first cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, although only Trump has returned to the campaign since the pandemic caused the massive closure of companies and public spaces.
New cases of the virus continue to count at a rapid rate in battlefield states like Arizona, Florida, Texas and Oklahoma, while Michigan has seen an increase in confirmed cases in July.
“I think both presidential campaigns, if they had their druthers, would be doing some kind of event in person,” said John Sellek, a veteran campaign strategist and owner of Harbor Strategic Public Affairs. “The Trump campaign has clearly done a lot more of that kind of event. Based on participation in Tulsa, I must assume that your campaign will reevaluate how useful it is to organize or attempt to organize large-scale events. “
Mid-Michigan Walmart Store Listed as Possible Coronavirus Exposure Site
A Walmart store in mid-Michigan has been listed as a potential COVID-19 exposure site.
The Shiawassee County Health Department released a statement on Friday, July 10, after being notified of an Owosso Walmart Supercenter employee, 1621 East M-21, who tested positive for the upper respiratory tract virus.
“This employee wore a mask during his shifts,” the statement read. “Walmart Supercenter is working with the Shiawassee County Health Department during this time.”
The health department said it would release information on public display sites, including large gatherings and high-traffic establishments, when close contacts cannot be identified.
The county health department has asked anyone who visited the store from 7 am to 4 pm on Monday, July 6 or from 7 am to 4 pm on Wednesday, July 8 to monitor symptoms due to possible exposure.
Lapeer County Health Department Alerts Residents After Restaurant Employee Tests for Coronavirus
Health officials in Lapeer County are advising anyone who has recently traveled to an Imlay City restaurant to monitor symptoms after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
Kathy Haskins, director of the Lapeer County Health Department, released a statement Friday, July 10, after authorities learned of an employee’s test result at Lucky’s Steakhouse in Imlay City.
The business closed voluntarily on Friday night “to ensure a thorough cleanup of the facility can be done, and employees who worked closely with the positive case will be quarantined,” Haskins said.
Since then, the restaurant reopened its doors.
Anyone who has been to the restaurant at the intersection of M-53 and Newark Road on Thursday, July 9 or Friday, July 10, will be asked to closely monitor the health department for the next 14 days and consider taking a COVID-19 test.
“You should also take extra precautions to make sure you don’t pass the virus on to others. Remember that you can spread the disease up to 48 hours before symptoms, and several people will be asymptomatic, “Haskins said.” The virus spreads through respiratory droplets between people who are in close contact with each other. This usually occurs when one person infected coughs, sneezes or talks. “
Kalamazoo Plasma Center is a possible site of coronavirus exposure
The Kalamazoo County Department of Health and Community Services is suggesting that those who donated plasma on June 27-29 or July 3-6, 8 or 9 at Grifols BioMat USA be tested for the new coronavirus.
The plasma center, located at 167 E. Kalamazoo Ave., reportedly had a symptomatic employee who was at the center at the time testing positive for COVID-19, a press release from the county states.
The medical / clinical employee with COVID-19 wore a mask and face shield while working; however, transmission is still possible due to the prolonged close contact that can occur during the plasma donation process, depending on the release states.
PREVENTION TIPS
In addition to washing their hands regularly and not touching their faces, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone can carry the virus.
Health officials say you should stay at least 6 feet away from others and work from home, if possible.
Use sanitizing wipes or sanitizing spray cleaners on frequently touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer when you go to places like stores.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has also issued an executive order requiring people to cover their faces and noses while inside closed public spaces.
Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
