State’s total infections top 500K

Michigan witnesses dubious pandemic milestone as vaccines slowly roll out

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer marked the dubious milestone of topping 500,000 coronavirus cases Monday with a call for more federal relief from Congress and a renewed plea to state residents to continue wearing masks and practicing social distancing as vaccines begin a slow rollout.

“COVID-19 didn’t end with the new year,” Whitmer said in a statement.

“We must remember that it will take some time for the vaccine to be widely available to all Michiganders, and until then, we must continue to do our part to keep ourselves and our fellow Michiganders safe. That means masking up, practicing safe social distancing, and avoiding indoor gatherings where the virus can easily spread from person to person.”

The Michigan health office reported a two-day total of 4,992 new cases of the virus and 80 deaths.

That brings the total in Michigan since the pandemic began to 502,119 confirmed cases of the virus and 12,678 deaths.

The latest coronavirus relief package passed by Congress included $600 checks nationwide to individuals but excluded financial help for state and local governments.

As the next Congress is seated and the nation prepares to inaugurate a new president, Whitmer asked for relief for state and local governments lest services be curtailed.

“We still need our leaders in Washington to pass a relief bill that includes federal funding for states to fund crucial services like police and fire, emergency responders, Medicaid, higher education, and more,” Whitmer said. “These services could face

cuts without help from the federal government. I will continue holding our leaders in Washington accountable.”

Democrat Joe Biden is to be inaugurated the 46th president Wednesday, Jan. 20, after defeating incumbent Republican Donald Trump in the November election.

More than half the state’s total deaths from the virus have occurred in the more populated southeast counties of Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne plus Detroit.

The death toll stands at 1,586 in Oakland County, 1,556 in Macomb County, 1,790 in Wayne County, and 1,699 in Detroit.

In rural mid Michigan, there has been 1,110 cases and 42 deaths in Clare County, 2,242 cases and 77 deaths in Gratiot County, and 3,175 cases and 45 deaths in Isabella County.