Michigan coronavirus data for Wednesday, May 5: New cases dropping at rapid clip, but deaths are up

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This is what the new strain of the coronavirus looks like under a microscope.CDC

The number of new coronavirus cases in Michigan is dropping at a steady clip -- the seven-day average is now 3,203, the lowest it has been in five weeks.

But deaths continue to rise, and are now averaging 67 a day.

That’s to be expected: Deaths are a lagging factor, and the high death toll now reflects people who first became ill weeks ago.

The good news is that hospitalizations are dropping along with case counts, which means deaths will start declining soon.

Below is a look at state and county numbers for new cases and positivity rates, as well as statewide numbers on hospitalizations, deaths and vaccinations.

New cases: The state is averaging 3,203 new confirmed cases a day

That’s down 26% from a seven-day average of 4,340 a week ago.

The top five counties in per-capita cases for April 28-May 4: Baraga, Muskegon, Newaygo, Arenac and Barry.

Below is an online database that allows readers to see the number of new coronavirus cases in the past seven days compared to the previous week, as well as the per capita number that adjusts for population. The arrows indicate whether the total number of new cases reported in the last seven days has gone up or down compared to the previous seven days.

The map below is shaded based on the state’s six risk-assessment levels. Currently, 72 of the state’s 83 counties are at E, the highest level.

The arrows indicate whether the total number of new cases reported in the last seven days has gone up or down compared to April 21-27.

Readers can put their cursor over a county to see the underlying data. (Hint: You can drag the map with your cursor to see the entire U.P.)

Positivity rate: The seven-day average is now 10.3%

The seven-day positivity rate on coronavirus diagnostic tests was 12% a week ago.

In Tuesday’s report. 11.8% of coronavirus test results reported on Monday were positive.

A total of 58 counties have seven-day average positivity rates over 10%. There are now 27 counties over 15% and two counties -- Newaygo and Sanilac over 20%.

The chart below allows you to look up any county by name to see the seven-day average positivity rate. The chart compares the average from the past seven days to the average for the previous week.

The interactive map below shows the seven-day average testing rate by county. You can put your cursor over a county to see the underlying data.

Hospitalizations: 2,997 inpatients

Michigan had 2,947 adults patients and 50 pediatric patients hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 on Tuesday, May 4. That includes 767 patients in the ICU.

By comparison, there were 3,583 hospitalizations with 857 patients in the ICU on Tuesday, April 27.

Deaths: The state is averaging 67 deaths a day

That compares to a seven-day daily average of 60 deaths a week ago.

A total of 467 deaths were reported in the last seven days, and 100 were people under age 60.

Vaccinations: 50.6% of adults have received at least one dose

As of Monday, May 2, a total of 4,098,583 adults have gotten at least one dose of vaccine, and 3,182,912-- or 39% -- are fully vaccinated.

Below is a breakdown by age group of adults who have gotten at least one dose of vaccine and those who are fully immunized.

  • 75 and older: 74% initiated; 67% completed.
  • 65 to 74: 76% initiated; 69% completed.
  • 50 to 64: 58% initiated; 47% completed.
  • 40 to 49: 45% initiated; 31% completed.
  • 30 to 39: 41% initiated; 28% completed.
  • 20 to 29: 30% initiated; 19% completed.
  • 16 to 19: 27% initiated; 12% completed.

The highest immunization rates so far are in the northern Lower Peninsula, where 55.5% of those age 16 and older have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine. That compares to 31% of adults who live in Detroit.

The interactive map below shows the number of adults per capita who have received as least one dose of vaccine so far. The numbers are based on residence of the vaccine recipient vs. where the the vaccine was given.

You can hold your cursor over a county to see the underlying data, which includes a breakdown by three age groups: Those 65 and older, who have been eligible for vaccines since January; 50 to 64, most of whom have been eligible since early to mid-March, and those age 16 to 49, most of whom did not become eligible until April 5. Because of the eligibility schedule, counties with a larger proportion of senior citizens tend to have higher vaccination rates than counties with larger proportions of younger adults.

State’s overall risk assessment: All 8 regions at highest level

All eight Michigan’s MI Start regions are back up to Level E in the state’s overall risk assessment.

In assigning the risk scores, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services looks at factors such as new cases and deaths per capita, test positivity rates, number of tests administered and emergency department visits for COVID-19 symptoms. The scale used by MDHHS has six levels -- “low” plus Levels A-E.

More on MLive:

Half of Michigan adults are now vaccinated. The other half will be the hard part.

Long hours, health risks and ‘ghost applicants’ lead to desperate staffing situations at Michigan restaurants

Michiganders returning for second COVID-19 shot at above-average rates

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