Michigan ends week with 8,400 new virus cases, a big jump

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The number of new coronavirus cases in Michigan topped 8,400 Saturday, the highest daily total since early December.

The health department also reported 57 deaths from COVID-19, including 51 that had occurred earlier and were identified through a records check.

“By the recent numbers, we know we’ve got a bit of a reality check happening,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Friday. “We know that COVID is still very present and it is still a very real threat. We may be seeing light at the end of the tunnel, but we are still in the tunnel.”

The number of new cases this week — more than 34,000 — was 24% higher than the previous week. At the same time, vaccines are being offered statewide, with the minimum age dropping to 16 on Monday.

Approximately 4.5 million doses were given through Thursday, the health department reported.

More than 17,000 deaths in Michigan have been linked to COVID-19.