Cases soar to nearly 9,000 with more than 70 deaths

Statewide total reaches 756,564 infections, 16,586 fatalities

New daily confirmed coronavirus cases in Michigan soared to 8,867 Tuesday with 74 additional deaths in a grim reminder that the pandemic is alive and well even as more and more people acquire vaccines against the deadly virus.

The 74 deaths announced by the state health department included 37 found through regular review of state vital records. However, new cases skyrocketed in the more populated areas of the state, particularly southeast Michigan, and hit a level not seen since mid November.

In all, Michigan has experienced 756,564 confirmed cases of the virus and 16,586 deaths since the pandemic began more than a year ago.

Detroit plus Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties accounted for half the new daily num

ber and nearly 46% of the new deaths.

There were 1,309 new cases and 13 deaths in Wayne County, 1,219 cases and seven deaths in Oakland County, 1,151 cases and eight deaths in Macomb County, and 735 cases and six deaths in Detroit.

Numbers also spiked higher Tuesday in other areas with 504 cases in Kent County, 307 cases and one death in Washtenaw County, 305 cases and two deaths in Genesee County, 229 cases and five deaths in St. Clair County, 213 cases and two deaths in Monroe County, 184 cases and one death in Livingston County, and 177 cases and two deaths in Ingham County.

In mid Michigan, there were 49 cases and one death in Isabella County, 25 cases in Gratiot County, and 13 cases in Clare County.

Just one of Michigan’s 83 counties reported no new cases or deaths for the day.

The jump in cases is occurring as more and more people receive vaccinations and as restrictions on economic and other activity has eased.

Health providers around the state have vaccinated 3,389,738 people age 16 and older, or just shy of 42%, including 47.91% in Oakland County, 44.82% in Wayne County, 39.14% in Macomb County, and 24.31% in Detroit.