State’s COVID-19 infections double in 2 weeks
LANSING (AP) — Michigan on Friday reported an average of 431 new daily COVID-19 infections over three days, up 47% from the same period a week earlier.
Cases have gone up in all but one state over the past two weeks, which health officials nationally have attributed to the fast-spreading delta variant of the coronavirus. Michigan’s seven-day average, 332, is double what is was two weeks ago.
Its two-week case rate, however, is lower than in all but four states. Just 256 adults were hospitalized with confirmed infections, a fraction of the peak of more than 4,000 in April, when the state was in the midst of a third surge.
About 63% of residents ages 16 and older have gotten at least one vaccine dose, which ranks middle of the pack among states. A new, multimillion-dollar state sweepstakes program has not led to much of a boost in vaccinations this month.
Michigan, where Gov. Gretchen Whitmer lifted capacity restrictions and mask requirements in June, has reported more than 21,000 confirmed or probable COVID-19 deaths and 1 million cases. About 871,000 people had recovered as of a week ago, meaning they were alive 30 days after the onset of their symptoms.