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New cases fluctuate since March and occasionally spike as testing expands, such as a May 12 surge of 1,475 diagnoses. In recent weeks, the overall slope declines. (Graphics: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services)
There's no way to declare victory or an end in the battle against Covid-19, and may never be. For now, in the spring of our dislocation, there are just advances and reasons for optimism.
Below are relatively bright bits of state health data, presented as a counterweight to the heaviness of a three-month death toll now at 5,698, with another 245 fatalities classified as probably due to the pandemic.
The cumulative number of confirmed lung virus cases in Michigan is 59,107. When the Department of Health and Human Services adds probable cases, the total reaches 64,998.
These statewide coronavirus data points are signs of a less-critical situation than in early spring:
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Hospitalized: 661 (as of Sunday night)
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In intensive care: 249 of those patients
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On ventilator: 191
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Recovered: 42,041 (as of Friday; patients alive at least 30 days after diagnosis)
Tuesday afternoon's daily statistics show 25 deaths since Monday confirmed as Covid-related -- the 15th straight day of new fatalities at that level or lower. On three of those days since Memorial Day, reported virus deaths were in single digits.
Michigan is in phase four ("improving") of the governor's six-stage reopening plan released May 7, with northern counties likely advancing to level five ("containing") in July.
