COVID-19: 78 more deaths, 1,1719 new cases

Total deaths up to 337, infections to 9,334

Michigan health officials on Wednesday reported 1,719 new COVID-19 infections and 78 new deaths.

That brings the statewide totals to 9,334 infections and 337 deaths, according to health officials, since the outbreak began on March 10.

There are 1,910 confirmed cases and 99 deaths in Oakland County, 2,472 cases and 83 deaths in Detroit, 1,998 cases and 63 deaths in Wayne County, 1,088 cases and 51 deaths in Macomb County, and seven cases and one death in Isabella County. The state’s up

dated totals are for Tuesday through 10 a.m. Wednesday and include positive test results confirmed by state, commercial, and hospital labs.

68 of the state’s 83 counties have at least one confirmed COVID-19 case with Mackinac County reporting its first case on Wednesday. 23 of the 83 counties have reported at least one death.

New cases and deaths:

• Isabella County: 1 case

• Macomb County: 235 cases, 13 deaths

• Oakland County: 319 cases, 29 deaths

• Wayne County: 343 cases, 18 deaths

• Detroit: 392 cases, 8 deaths

To date, the confirmed cases have been evenly split between males and females and 55 percent of the cases involve people been between the ages of 40 and 69. Of the state’s

337 total deaths, 64 percent have been male. Among all deaths, male and female, the average age is 71 with victims ranging in age from 25 to 107.

Here are the cumulative testing totals as of 1 p.m. Tuesday and includes the total negative tests, positive tests and total specimens tested:

• State lab: 4,038 negative tests, 1,330 positive tests, and 5,376 total tests

• Commercial labs: 2,114 negative tests, 444 positive tests, 2,561 total tests

• Hospital labs: 15,902 negative tests, 5,384 positive tests, 21,387 total tests

• Total: 22,054 negative tests, 7,158 positive tests, and 29,234 total tests

Here are some recent steps that have been taken at the state level to help slow the spread of COVID-19, protect public health, and assist residents and business owners:

• The State of Michigan began accepting donations to help the COVID-19 response and recovery efforts statewide. Funds will

be distributed through the State Emergency Operations Center based on critical needs.

• Donations will be allocated to provide food and water, education support for children, and other essential activities as needs are identified. Donate by visiting www.michigan.gov/ fightcovid19.

• Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office sent a letter to JoAnn Fabrics indicating the business’s storefront operations should be temporarily suspended while the state’s Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order remains in place through April 13

• The Michigan National Guard received a request to help food banks in Ann Arbor, Comstock Park, Flint, and Pontiac. The food banks requested personnel to help with mobile food distribution.

Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

• Fever

• Cough

• Shortness of breath According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best prevention for COVID-19 is to:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

Use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

Avoid close contact with people who are sick

Put distance between yourself and other people ((at least six feet) if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

There have been more

than 203,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S., including at least 4,400 deaths, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University. Worldwide, around 911,000 cases have been confirmed in 180 countries and regions. Of that number, around around 192,000 people have recovered while more than 45,000 people

have died.

For most people, the COVID-19 virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover.