10/21/20: 1,597 new COVID cases, 33 deaths

State health officials reported 1,597 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday raising the seven day moving average to 1,704 new cases per day – a new record for the state.

The state also reported 33 new deaths from the coronavirus. The state is now averaging nearly 21 deaths per day – more than double what is was at the end of September.

The state’s positivity rate was 5.73% on Tuesday. The World Health Organization in May suggested that a 5% positivity rate was necessary to allow reopening.

Hospitalizations continue to rise in Michigan. As of Wednesday, 1,221 people were being hospitalized for confirmed and suspected COVID-19 infections. There were 273 people being treated in ICUs across the state for coronavirus infections.

Kalamazoo County reported 45 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday. The county is averaging more than 74 new cases per day leading health officials to call for residents to avoid social gatherings such as parties.

Western Michigan University reported 34 new infections during Thursday and Friday of last week. The university reports COVID-19 data twice per week via its coronavirus dashboard.

WMU’s new infection rate has been declining steadily over the past few weeks. As of Friday, the university was averaging 13.7 new infections per day with a positivity rate of 7.6%.