Infections, deaths may be plateauing, for now

Confirmed deaths and cases of coronavirus continue to rise but may have hit a plateau, at least in the short term.

A report from the state epidemiologist released Tuesday notes that rates of new cases of the virus have declined the past two weeks, even though they are among the highest since the start of the pandemic last March. The latest numbers released Wednesday by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services show new daily confirmed cases and deaths, though still high, may be moderating.

Statewide, 4,905 new confirmed cases and 75 deaths were reported Wednesday, pushing the cumulative total for the year to 415,200 cases and 10,213 deaths from the virus.

For the most part, the more populated counties tend to show the largest increases in numbers on a day-to-day basis.

There were 465 new cases and three deaths in Oakland County, 460 cases and five deaths in Wayne County, 520 cases and six deaths in Macomb County, and 195 cases and three deaths in Detroit.

Outside of southeast Michigan, Saginaw County had 118 new cases but 12 deaths.

While numbers may be moderating, they remain high when compared with other states. According to the state epidemiologist’s report, Michigan ranks 7th in the number of cases, 4th in the number of deaths, and 6th in the rate of hospitalizations from the virus as a percentage of available hospital beds.

Michigan is conducting 51,800 tests for the virus, but the rate of positive results has been around 14.4% for the past three weeks, the reported noted.

Michigan remains under temporary restrictions that prohibit in-school learning and inside dining at restaurants until Dec. 20.