10/29/20: State sets record for new COVID cases – again

State health officials reported 3,675 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday topping the previous record from less than a week ago. The seven day moving average is now 2,623 new cases per day – a record in itself.

The state noted that due to technical issues, Thursday’s total included some cases that would have normally been counted on Friday.

The state also reported 41 new deaths from the coronavirus with 22 of them coming from a review of previous death records.

The state’s positivity rate is also climbing higher. On Wednesday, the state reported 8.6% of the more than 51,000 tests conducted came back positive. The average positivity rate is 6.5%, much higher than the 3% the state has targeted as being safe to reopen.

At the same time it issued new restrictions meant to slow the spread of COVID-19, the state’s Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced that the Traverse City region has moved backward into Phase 4 of the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan. That brings it in line with the rest of the state.

Hospitalizations are continuing to increase. On Thursday, there were 1,630 people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infections being treated in Michigan hospitals. That includes 382 people in intensive care.

Kalamazoo County on Thursday reported 110 new cases of COVID-19. That brings the county’s cumulative total to more than 5,000 people since the pandemic began. The county is averaging 75 new cases per day.

The county also reported two new deaths from the virus.