MICHIGAN — Michigan reported more than 3,000 new positive cases of COVID-19 Saturday, setting a state record.
The number of positive cases of the coronavirus in Michigan has increased to 158,026.
The number of cases increased 3,338 from yesterday, when there were 154,688 statewide cases, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) this afternoon.
This sets a new record as the highest number of positive cases reported in Michigan in one day since the pandemic started.
Yesterday, the state reported 1,862 new cases.
MDHHS said that most of the test results (96%) being reported Saturday originated from specimens that were collected from individuals in the past five days.
“The data shows we are continuing to see alarming increases in the incidence of COVID-19 infections in Michigan, “said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “It is now more important than ever that people take this seriously. Wear a mask every time you are going to be around someone outside of your own household. Avoid large gatherings and maintain a safe distance from others. If rates continue like this, we risk overwhelming our hospitals and having many more Michiganders die.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer tweeted about the rise in cases today, advising Michigan residents to wear a mask to stop the spread of COVID-19.
We are seeing an alarming rise in COVID-19 cases in Michigan right now. It is vital that we wear masks, avoid large gatherings, and practice physical distancing. Your fellow Michiganders and our frontline health care workers are counting on each one of us to do the right thing.
— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) October 24, 2020
The state says there have been 7,182 coronavirus deaths in Michigan.
The number of deaths has increased 35 from yesterday, when there were 7,147 deaths. Yesterday, the state reported 17 new deaths.
Statewide, 109,539 people have recovered from the virus as of Oct. 17. A person is considered "recovered" by the state if they are "30 days out from their onset of illness."
In the U.S., there are 8,533,568 cases, and there have been 224,537 deaths — while 3,375,427 people have recovered, according to the global COVID-19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.