COVID-19 cases up nearly 1,900

State reports 43 more deaths

Michigan saw another above-average increase in COVID-19 cases Thursday, except the seven-day average still dipped slightly.

The state reported 1,873 newly confirmed cases, pushing the state’s total to 152,862, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Deaths also jumped by 43, with 31 of them from reviews of vital records, pushing the total to 7,129.

Worldwide, the caseload passed 41.5 million and neared 1.35 million deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the U.S., cases were nearing 8.4 million and 223,000 deaths.

In Michigan, so far there have been 28,165 cases in October, and on Thursday, the seven-day average dipped slightly to 1,680. On Wednesday, the seven-day average topped 1,700.

The state has averaged 1,280 cases a day this month, well above the 740 averaged per day in September.

On Wednesday, the governor and state medical leaders urged everyone in Michigan to follow the basic guidelines that can reduce the spread of COVIDthe disease caused by the coronavirus: wearing face masks, frequently

washing hands well, and maintaining physical distancing, saying these simple things could help the state avoid seeing the outbreaks seen in neighboring states and help allow schools and businesses to stay open.

With the probable cases counted, Michigan stood Thursday at 170,076 with 7,464 deaths.

Testing

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services tweeted Thursday about the recent launch of 77 new free COVID-19 test sites statewide in a new partnership withWalgreens.

“This will bring the total number of state-supported, free test sites to nearly 100. Michiganders can find the free test sites at http://Michigan.gov/CoronavirusTest,” MDHHS tweeted.

“Stay smart,” the state health department added.

“Stay safe.”

In Michigan, more than 45,000 diagnostic tests were given Wednesday, with a positivity rate of more than 4.9 percent. On Wednesday, more than 38,000 tests were given and the positivity rate was more than 5.7 percent. Throughout the summer and into the fall, the positivity rate was between 2 and 4 percent.

Local trends

Oakland County led the way in new cases on Thursday, adding 165 to reach

19,179 confirmed cases.

Macomb County was about the same, adding 161 to reach 16,573.

Wayne County, excluding Detroit, added 81 to end the day at 20,770.

AndDetroit, long the spot with the most cases, added just 46 cases to land at 15,127.

In western Michigan, Kent County added 155 cases to reach 12,248, continuing a trend of adding more than 150 cases a day in recent weeks.

Kalamazoo County, cited byDr. JoneighKhaldun from

theMDHHS as a hot spot in the state, added 119 cases to hit 3,625 cases.

In mid-Michigan, rural Clare County added 12 cases to jump to 214, while Isabella County was up by 11 cases to reach 847. Gratiot County, home to Alma, added nine cases to reach 368.

Ingham County reached 4,340 cases with 33 new ones confirmed.

Another county with a large university, Washtenaw County added 49 cases to reach 4,452.