Health experts: Stay vigilant despite dip in Michigan’s weekly virus cases from The Detroit News

After six consecutive weeks of record COVID-19 cases, Michigan saw a slight retreat this week, posting 47,316 confirmed cases.

Despite the decrease in cases, epidemiologists are cautioning people to not get comfortable and continue to practice social distancing, mask-wearing and good hygiene and stay inside their household bubble. They are expecting another surge after families and friends gathered for Thanksgiving and are likely to do so heading into Christmas.

“The numbers are lagging,” said Teena Chopra, professor of infectious diseases at Wayne State University. “We’re not going to start seeing the real picture until next week. I know people have had family over who are outside of their bubble.”

Although travel dropped by half, some 3 million people passed through U.S. airport checkpoints ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Meanwhile, there is a roughly 13% positivity rate, Chopra said: “That is really worrisome. We think it will get much, much higher, and there will be a surge heading into Christmas.”

Last week the state had 50,892 new cases, the sixth record week in a row for confirmed infections. It had 44,019 new cases the week before.

On Saturday, Michigan also added 103 deaths linked to the virus. The deaths include 70 identified during a vital records review.

Continue reading “Health experts: Stay vigilant despite dip in Michigan’s weekly virus cases” from The Detroit News.

Learn more about Teena Chopra, M.D., M.P.H.