What do the numbers say? (File photo)
The state of Michigan passed a grim milestone Friday as total deaths from Covid-19 in the state passed the 20,000 mark, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Confirmed new cases Thursday and Friday total 3,127, or an average of 1,564 each of the last two days. Deaths over the same period were 29, with 14 earlier ones coming from a vital records review.
Cumulative totals since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 are 919,133 Covid cases and 20,011 deaths. More than 28% of the deaths — 5,686 — were residents of long-term care facilities.
It's worth noting that 95% of infected people (874,163) are classified as recovered by the health agency, as of Monday. Other important Michigan context is posted Friday by Michigan Advance:
Between Jan. 15 and July 21, 98% of the state’s Covid-19 cases were among people who were either unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). ...
Less than 1% — .189% — of fully vaccinated people developed Covid-19 during that time, DHHS said.
Unvaccinated individuals also made up the majority of Covid-19 hospitalizations and deaths. Between Jan. 15 and July 21, 95% of COVID-19 hospitalizations were unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated individuals.
This represents the fifth straight week of rising case totals, which health officials say reflects a spread of the virus' Delta variant among unvaccinated people, mainly.
DHHS says 64.2% of residents 16 and older have at least one vaccine dose, as of today. The figure as was 58.6% on June 1.
