12/10/20: 5,937 new COVID cases, 182 deaths

Michigan: State health officials reported 5,937 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. It’s the fifth day in a row with less than 6,000 new cases. The seven day moving average declined to 5,828 new cases per day – the lowest average in almost a month.

At the same time, the state reported 182 new deaths from the virus. Even with 132 of those coming as a result of reviews of previous death records, Michigan’s coronavirus death toll is climbing higher than previously expected. The state is averaging more than 116 deaths per day.

Kalamazoo County: In line with state trends, Kalamazoo County’s new infection totals are declining whiles deaths continue to rise.

County officials reported 90 new cases of the virus on Thursday, bringing the seven day moving average to 92 new cases per day. The county also reported seven new deaths from COVID-19. The county is averaging 2.29 deaths per day over the past week.

Hospitalizations: The state’s COVID-19 hospitalization numbers continued to decline on Thursday. The state reported that 3,893 people were being treated for the coronavirus in Michigan hospitals – 32 fewer than the previous day.

In Kalamazoo County, hospitals remain close to capacity. Bronson Methodist Hospital had 35 COVID-19 patients on Thursday, putting it at 94% capacity. Meanwhile, Ascension Borgess Hospital reported 54 COVID-19 patients as it operated at 89% capacity.