Cases have increased in the state over the past month.
On Saturday, the state health department reported 8,413 new COVID-19 cases. This compares with 1,536 new cases reported on March 3 a month ago.
Cases have increased rapidly over the past month, with Michigan now experiencing the “largest surge of viral spread in the country,” according to the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.
Hospitalizations are also increasing, especially among young adults. From March 1 to March 23, hospitalizations, according to the association, increased by 633% for adults aged 30 to 39 and by 800% for adults aged 40 to 49 years.
“I am very concerned about what we are seeing in the state of Michigan,” he said. State Medical Chief Joneigh S. Khaldun told Good Morning America this week. “We have seen a significant increase in our cases over the last five to six weeks. Our hospitalizations are also increasing. And we are seeing younger people, between ten and 60 years old, getting sick, and many of them also getting hospitalized. recorded. ‘
Khaldun pointed to COVID-19 fatigue, including lack of mask compliance, and gatherings contributing to the increase.
“I think everyone in Michigan should really double now,” she said.
Government Gretchen Whitmer this week referred to the boom as a problem with compliance, mobility and variants. ‘
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the state is currently second in the country for the most reported cases of the more transmissible B.1.1.7 variant first discovered in the UK. As of Wednesday, Michigan has identified 1,468 cases of the variant. , according to the state health department.
Both Whitmer and Khaldun have at the moment emphasized the importance of vaccinations.
“We just need to be even more laser-focused on our vaccination efforts,” Khaldun told GMA.
As of Monday, the vaccine for COVID-19 in the state will be extended to all residents 16 years and older.
In an interview with Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ on Thursday, dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s leading expert on infectious diseases, said the recent boom could be “very likely” due to Michigan starting too early.
“I hesitate to criticize anything the governor has done because she is really a good governor,” Fauci told the station. “I think the idea of withdrawing prematurely, under pressure, is understandable why you would want to do that, but the results, I think, are reflected in what you see in Michigan.”
Of the recently restricted restrictions, the state reopened pubs and restaurants for indoor eateries on 25 February at 25% indoor capacity, and then increased to 50% on 5 March, with a maximum of 100 people. allowed to fill up to 50% capacity.
The mask command of the state remains in force, requiring face masks in public.