Interactive: coronavirus in Michigan - where coronavirus is and how it's growing
As the number of coronavirus cases in Michigan continues to increase and state and federal policy is subsequently adapted to mitigate the fallout of the spread, it can feel almost impossible to keep up with the speed the situation changes.
That's why FOX 2 has built this page to track where the coronavirus is in Michigan, how it's evolved over the past four months, and how the virus is effecting everyone in the state. This data is from michigan.gov/coronavirus and ONLY shows people with confirmed cases.
Since the first cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in Michigan on March 10, Gov. Whitmer has declared a state emergency, closed all schools, prohibited gatherings of more than 250 people, restricted visits to hospitals and other facilities, closed public spaces such as theaters, bars, gyms and casinos, and limited restaurants to carry-out and delivery orders.
Symptoms for coronavirus COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. These, of course, are similar to the common cold and flu.
The next graph shows the growth of COVID-19 in Michigan, based on health departments. Click the play button in the lower left-hand corner to watch the evolution of cases in Michigan counties.
Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear more slowly. They usually include fever, a dry cough and noticeable shortness of breath, according to the World Health Organization. A minority of cases develop pneumonia, and the disease is especially worrisome for the elderly and those with other medical problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes or heart conditions.
RELATED: Is it the flu, a cold or COVID-19? Different viruses present similar symptoms
To date, Michigan has had more than 70,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with more than 50,000 people recovered. The peak for Michigan was early April when the state reported almost 2,000 positive cases. Over the next two months, cases slowed but began trending upward in mid-June.
At one point, Michigan was one of the top three states for COVID-19 cases. As Michigan cases slowed, other states had significant increases in reported cases.
While the state is now out of the top ten, it's deaths are still among the highest in the country with more than 6,000 people have died from illnesses connected to the virus.
So where are most of the deaths happening? Most of Michigan's deaths have all occurred in Southeast Michigan with more than half happening in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties. However, recent spikes in Kent, Saginaw, and Genessee Counties have state leaders alarmed.
As Michigan was starting to win the fight against COVID-19, Gov. Whitmer began lifting restrictions on places like bars and restaurants, salons and barbershops, and more.
However, some spikes have happened, specifically in the younger age groups between the ages of 20 and 29 and also between the ages of 30-39.
Right now there's one big difference between flu and coronavirus: A vaccine exists to help prevent the flu and it's not too late to get it. It won't protect you from catching the coronavirus but may put you in a better position to fight it.
To protect yourself, wash your hands well and often, keep them away from your face, and avoid crowds and standing close to people.
And if you do find yourself showing any of these flu or coronavirus symptoms - don't go straight to your doctor's office. That just risks making more people sick, officials urge. Call ahead, and ask if you need to be seen and where.
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FOX 2 is working to keep you up to date with coronavirus, with both local and national developments. Every weekday we're live at 1 p.m. with a special show reporting the latest news, prevention tips and treatment information.
You can watch live in your FOX 2 app or on the FOX 2 Facebook page here.
You can also get the latest coronavirus news from around the country at coronavirusnow.com.