LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the state is seeing a plateau in COVID-19 cases, but there is still more work to be done.
As of Friday morning, there are 90,392 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Michigan and 6,289 deaths.
State providing 4 million free masks to low-income residents, vulnerable populations in Michigan
The state announced 1,121 new cases – the highest one-day case total in almost three months – and 16 deaths; 9 of those deaths were identified during a Vital Records review.
Whitmer said that despite being one of the hardest hit states during the pandemic, Michigan's average infection rate last month was half that of Ohio, Indian and Wisconsin.
However, she said the work is not done and announced the MI Mask Aid initiative, which will provide four million free masks to those vulnerable to COVID-19.
In the press conference on Friday, Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said that in the metro Detroit area, Macomb County has the highest numbers in the region, with 82 cases per million people per day and a positivity rate of 7.4%.
Dr. Khaldun noted that it is important for businesses, schools, health departments and others implement strategies to fight the pandemic at the local level.
The state is still seeing outbreaks, specifically from nursing and long term care facilities, social gatherings, agricultural and food processing facilities, child care and youth programs, manufacturing, health care, restaurants, schools and colleges.
Both Whitmer and Dr. Khaldun encouraged Michiganders to continue wearing masks.
