Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) elevated Michigan’s level of COVID-19 spread to “substantial” on Wednesday, daily death totals statewide due to COVID remain in single digits.
According to the widely cited tracking website worldometers.info, the seven-day moving average of COVID deaths per day in Michigan has stayed under double digits since July 1. As of Wednesday, that average was six deaths per day. The seven-day moving average for daily new cases was 681.
Michigan’s seven-day average of daily COVID fatalities reached its highest point of 151 on April 16, 2020. The state’s highest weeklong average of daily case detections was 7,873 on April 13, 2020.
Public and private entities in the Great Lake State are meanwhile piling on measures in response to mitigate transmission of the coronavirus. Auto manufacturers Ford, General Motors and Stellantis (which makes Chrysler and Dodge vehicles), as well as the United Auto Workers labor organization, resumed a mask-wearing requirement for all workers this week, irrespective of a worker’s vaccination status.
Central Michigan University is also mandating that its students and employees wear masks, at least through September. Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) has asked Michigan’s primary and secondary schools to require their students and employees to wear masks, but she has not yet issued a binding requirement to that effect.
These organizations are following guidance issued by the CDC last week recommending indoor mask use by everyone in areas the institution deems high-risk.
Other entities are imposing vaccine requirements. Michigan State University, University of Michigan, and Wayne State University, for instance, have announced they will require all students, faculty, and staff to receive a COVID vaccine.
– – –
Bradley Vasoli is a reporter at The Michigan Star and The Star News Network. Follow Brad on Twitter at @BVasoli. Email tips to [email protected].
