Michigan reports 691 new COVID-19 cases, 13 deaths on Saturday

On Saturday, September 12, 2020, the state of Michigan reported there were 692 more positive tests for COVID-19 and 13 additional deaths.

That brings Michigan's total confirmed cases to 111,524 with 6,591 deaths linked to the virus.

You can see recent daily case numbers and death updates below.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a news conference on Thursday, Sept. 10 in which she announced the launch of the Futures for Frontliners program, which offers essential, frontline workers a tuition-free path to community college in Michigan. The program is the first-of-its-kind in the nation. You can read more about the program here.

This week will be a chance for more businesses to resume operations as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced gyms can start reopening Sept. 9. That same day, she also announced organized sports can resume - though later said masks must be worn by football and volleyball players.

Also earlier this week, on Tuesday, Gov. Whitmer signed a bill that appropriates $2.8 billion to fund a temporary additional $300 per week for eligible Michiganders receiving unemployment benefits.

Meanwhile, Michigan's chief medical executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun spoke at the governor's most recent news conference last week and gave context to the state of the pandemic in Michigan right now.

CASES PER MILLION PEOPLE PER DAY

Overall, Michigan is seeing an average of 55 cases per million people per day, which is a decrease since last week.

The Detroit, Saginaw and Upper Peninsula regions all are seeing more than 40 cases per million people per day, but trends for new cases and percent positive are declining.

The Grand Rapids, Jackson and Lansing regions also have more than 40 cases per million people per day but trends for case rates and percent positive are increasing.

The Traverse City region is the lowest in the state, at 27 cases per million people per day with a 2.2% positivity. But trends for new cases and percent positive are also increasing.

Information from Gov. Whitmer's 9/10 news conference

TESTING AND PERCENT POSITIVE

Testing continues to look good. Dr. Khaldun said Michigan continues to test more than 30,000 people per day, which is more than 2% of our state's population every week.

The overall percent positive rate in Michigan has slightly increased to 3.2% from 3.1% the week prior.

The goal is to get the percent positive below 3%, which would indicate community spread is not happening.

Information from Gov. Whitmer's 9/10 news conference

OUTBREAKS

Over the past week, local health departments have identified 61 new outbreaks, which is 32 fewer than the previous week and something Dr. Khaldun called "a great sign."

Officials are tracking 157 ongoing outbreaks across the state, which is 65 fewer than officials were tracking the previous week.

Dr. Khaldun said the top five places they're seeing outbreaks are in nursing facilities, manufacturing, health care, social gatherings and restaurants.

Michigan officials are now also beginning to work with local health departments to be able to identify and publicize outbreaks at schools. Dr. Khaldun said the state will be posting information about outbreaks at schools, including colleges, next week.

Information from Gov. Whitmer's 9/10 news conference

CONTACT TRACING

Authorities are still urging everyone to answer their phones if you get a call from the health department. Text messages are also now being sent in advance of the incoming call.

Talking with the health department helps track where others may have been exposed to the virus.

Meanwhile, everyone is also still reminded to keep doing the basics to stay healthy - wear a mask, wash your hands and keep your distance from other people.

PREVIOUS DAILY COVID-19 CASE COUNTS AND DEATHS

Friday, September 11 - 1,313 cases, 9 deaths
Thursday, September 10 - 924 cases, 17 deaths (9 identified during a vital records review)
Wednesday, September 9 - 783 cases 13 additional deaths.
Tuesday, September 8 - 441, cases, 1 death
Monday, September 7 - 1,156 cases, four deaths announced in the past two days as the state has stopped reporting cases on Sunday
Saturday, September 5 - 838 cases, 8 new deaths (3 identified during a vital records review)
Friday, September 4 - 982, 7 deaths
Thursday, September 3 - 685 cases, 10 deaths (9 identified during a routine records review)
Wednesday, September 2 - 524 cases, 14 deaths
Tuesday, September 1 - 718 cases, 15 deaths (8 were part of a vital records review,)
Monday, August 31 - 451 cases, 7 deaths
Sunday, August 30 - 539 cases, 6 deaths
Saturday, August 29 - 799 cases, 21 deaths (7 identified during a vital records review)
Friday, August 28 - 741 cases, 6 new deaths; total cases surpassed 100,000
Thursday, August 27 - 758 cases, 16 deaths (15 from vital records review)
Wednesday, August 26 - 761 cases, 7 deaths
Tuesday, August 25 - 779 cases, 20 deaths (6 from vital records review)
Monday, August 24 - 868 cases, 4 deaths
Sunday, August 23 - 768 cases, 4 deaths
Saturday, August 22 - 953 cases, 11 deaths (8 from vital records review)
Friday, August 21 - 374 cases, 10 deaths (cases announced three hours later than normal, is less than expected due to a recent issue with the reporting of electronic lab results)
Thursday, August 20 - 419 cases, 19 deaths (11 from vital records review)
Wednesday, August 19 - 616 cases and 9 deaths
Tuesday, August 18 - 477 cases and 15 deaths (7 from vital records review)
Monday, August 17 - 465 cases and one death
Sunday, August 16 - 565 cases and six deaths
Saturday, August 15 - 1,015 cases and 18 deaths (14 from vital records review)
Friday, August 14 - 748 cases and 11 deaths
Thursday, August 13 - 1,121 cases and 16 deaths
Wednesday, August 12 - 517 cases, nine deaths
Tuesday, August 11 - 796 cases, seven deaths (two from vital records review)
Monday, August 10 - 557 cases, eight deaths
Sunday, August 9 - 514 cases, two deaths (The cumulative death total was been reduced by one today. Two additional deaths were reported today and three cases previously marked as deceased were corrected by local health jurisdictions.)
Saturday, August 8 - 698 cases, three deaths