Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s what to know March 12, 2021

2,403 new COVID cases reported Friday

Michigan COVID-19 data on March 12, 2021 (WDIV)

DETROIT – The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 605,778 as of Friday, including 15,737 deaths, state officials report.

Friday’s update includes a total of 2,403 new cases -- the highest one-day total since January. Friday’s update also includes an additional 8 virus deaths.

Recommended Videos



NEW: Michigan: All adults eligible for COVID vaccine April 5

Testing has slowed in the last week, dropping to about 35,000 diagnostic tests reported per day on average, with the 7-day positive rate above 4.5% as of Wednesday. Hospitalizations have plateaued over the last two weeks.

Michigan’s 7-day moving average for daily cases was 1,573 on Friday-- slightly higher than last week. The 7-day death average was 17 on Friday. The state’s fatality rate is 2.6%. The state also reports “active cases,” which were listed at 40,200 on Friday -- near the lowest it’s been since October. More than 549,000 have recovered in Michigan.

Read: 7 takeaways from Whitmer’s COVID update: Metrics starting to turn, variants spreading

Michigan has reported more than 2.7 million doses of the COVID-19 administered, as of Wednesday, with 12.1% coverage statewide.

Know: Michigan’s COVID-19 vaccine plan expands to 50+ with certain conditions: What to know

According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 29 million cases have been reported in the U.S., with more than 530,000 deaths reported from the virus.

Worldwide, more than 118.3 million people have been confirmed infected and more than 2.6 million have died. More than 66 million have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. The true numbers are certainly much higher, because of limited testing, different ways nations count the dead and deliberate under-reporting by some governments.


Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phases


Coronavirus headlines:


VIEW: Tracking Michigan COVID-19 vaccine doses 💉

VIEW: Tracking coronavirus cases, outbreaks in Michigan schools


Michigan: All adults eligible for COVID vaccine April 5

The state of Michigan announced Friday that all residents age 16 and up will become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine on April 5, nearly a month before the May 1 date pledged by President Joe Biden.

People age 16 to 49 with certain medical conditions or disabilities will qualify starting March 22, when 50- to 64-year-olds can begin getting shots under a previous announcement. Two days later, March 24, a federally selected regional mass vaccination site will open at Detroit’s Ford Field to administer an additional 6,000 doses a day for two months.

Learn more here.

MORE: Michigan’s updated COVID-19 vaccination schedule: Who is eligible and when

Michigan confirms first case of South African COVID variant in Jackson County

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced that the first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.351 has been identified in a child in Jackson County.

The health department did not say how the boy was infected but a case investigation is underway to determine close contacts and if there are additional cases associated.

This new variant was originally detected in South Africa in October 2020 and shares some mutations with the B117 variant. The first case of the B117 variant -- originally detected in the United Kingdom -- was identified in Washtenaw County.

Michigan to expand COVID-19 vaccine plan to include residents age 50 and older

The state of Michigan will is expanding its COVID-19 vaccine plan to include residents age 50 and older, Local 4 has learned.

This week

Starting Monday, March 8, any Michigan residents age 50 and up with pre-existing medical conditions or disabilities will be eligible to make an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said.

Caregiver family members and guardians who care for children with special health care needs will also be eligible to receive the vaccine, starting Monday.

“The more people we can get the safe and effective vaccine, the faster we can return to a sense of normalcy,” Whitmer said. “I urge all eligible Michiganders to get one of the three COVID-19 vaccines to protect you, your family and your community.”

Later this month

On March 22, all Michiganders age 50 and up will become eligible, Local 4 has learned.

More than 40% of Michiganders age 65 and older have been vaccinated, according to the state.

“Over 2.3 million doses of the safe and effective COVID vaccines have been administered in Michigan, and we know more vaccine is coming into the state,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “We are pleased to expand eligibility for more people to get vaccinated as we continue to focus on our most vulnerable and those at highest risk of severe illness due to COVID-19.”

Michigan loosens COVID restrictions on restaurants -- here are all the details

The state of Michigan has loosened its COVID-19 restrictions on bars and restaurants, including the capacity limit and nightly curfew.

On Tuesday, March 2, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced the restrictions on indoor dining have been revised.

Starting Friday, March 5, Michigan restaurants and bars will be allowed to fill up to 50% capacity, with a maximum of 100 people, according to the state.

“I’m proud that we are able to take this positive step without compromising public health,” Whitmer said.

Since Feb. 1, restaurants had been capped at 25% capacity. From mid-November through the end of January, no indoor dining was allowed at bars or restaurants.

COVID variant cases in Michigan rise by more than 100

The number of the confirmed cases of a more contagious COVID-19 variant in Michigan increased by more than 100 this week, suggesting there is “undetected spread” in the community.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical director for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said the state has confirmed 422 cases of the COVID-19 B117 variant.

That number increased from 314 cases identified as of six days prior (Feb. 24).

Macomb County offers new COVID-19 vaccination site for seniors 60 and older

Through a partnership with SMART, Macomb County is offering a new vaccination location in Sterling Heights.

The vaccination site is at the Sterling Heights Senior Center on Utica Road, between Schoenherr and Van Dyke roads.

Appointments are required. Eligible residents and workers can call the SMART Macomb Vaccine line at 586-421-6579.

Wayne County announces new vaccination clinics for seniors

Wayne County announced it will open several vaccination clinics for residents 65 and older.

According to county Executive Warren Evans, the vaccination clinics will begin Feb. 23.

“I’m pleased Wayne County is now in a position to begin vaccinating seniors,” Evans said. “I know everyone is eager to safely get back to normal. Our team is working hard to ensure all of our residents can get their COVID shot as quickly as the vaccine is available.”

There are no walk-up appointments and seniors must make an appointment by calling the number for the site in their communities.

The full list of clinics and how to register can be found here.


Michigan COVID-19 daily reported cases since Feb. 15:

  • Feb. 15 -- 633 new cases
  • Feb. 16 -- 775 new cases
  • Feb. 17 -- 939 new cases
  • Feb. 18 -- 888 new cases
  • Feb. 19 -- 1,193 new cases
  • Feb. 20 -- 635 new cases
  • Feb. 21 -- 742 new cases
  • Feb. 22 -- 742 new cases
  • Feb. 23 -- 1,316 new cases
  • Feb. 24 -- 1,245 new cases
  • Feb. 25 -- 1,388 new cases
  • Feb. 26 -- 1,073 new cases
  • Feb. 27 -- 1,156 new cases
  • Feb. 28 -- 784 new cases
  • March 1 -- 785 new cases
  • March 2 -- 1,067 new cases
  • March 3 -- 1,536 new cases
  • March 4 -- 1,526 new cases
  • March 5 -- 1,486 new cases
  • March 6 -- 1,289 new cases
  • March 7 -- 980 new cases
  • March 8 -- 980 new cases
  • March 9 -- 954 new cases
  • March 10 -- 2,316 new cases
  • March 11 -- 2,091 new cases
  • March 12 -- 2,403 new cases

Michigan COVID-19 daily reported deaths since Feb. 15:

  • Feb. 15 -- 4 new deaths
  • Feb. 16 -- 19 new deaths
  • Feb. 17 -- 11 new deaths
  • Feb. 18 -- 85 news deaths (72 from vital records)
  • Feb. 19 -- 23 new deaths
  • Feb. 20 -- 63 new deaths
  • Feb. 21 -- 1 new death
  • Feb. 22 -- 2 new deaths
  • Feb. 23 -- 34 new deaths
  • Feb. 24 -- 9 new deaths
  • Feb. 25 -- 48 new deaths (30 from vital records)
  • Feb. 26 -- 1 new death
  • Feb. 27 -- 68 new deaths (62 from vital records)
  • Feb. 28 -- 6 new deaths
  • March 1 -- 6 new deaths
  • March 2 -- 24 new deaths (12 from vital records)
  • March 3 -- 5 new deaths
  • March 4 -- 37 new deaths (29 from vital records)
  • March 5 -- 10 new deaths
  • March 6 -- 56 new deaths (48 from vital records)
  • March 7 -- 2 new deaths
  • March 8 -- 2 new deaths
  • March 9 -- 29 new deaths (8 from vital records)
  • March 10 -- 8 new deaths
  • March 11 -- 23 new deaths (16 from vital records)
  • March 12 -- 8 new deaths

Coronavirus resources:


🌟 Become an Insider 🌟

Introducing WDIV Insider: A new way for loyal Local 4 fans to gain access and customize your ClickOnDetroit news experience. This new and free membership is our way of saying thank you — and your way of getting in on the news action. WDIV Insiders will gain exclusive access to the Local 4 team and station, including personalized messages, offers and deals to big events, and an elevated voice in our news coverage. Learn more about WDIV Insider - and sign up here!


About the Authors:

Dave Bartkowiak Jr. is the digital managing editor for ClickOnDetroit.