Michigan COVID: Here’s what to know Dec. 5, 2021

18,443 new COVID cases reported over two-day period

Michigan COVID data as of Dec. 3, 2021 (WDIV)

DETROIT – Michigan reported 18,443 new cases of COVID-19 and 277 virus-related deaths Friday -- an average of 9,221.5 cases over a two day period, nearly the highest daily total since the start of the pandemic.

Of the 277 deaths announced Friday, 169 were identified during a review of records.

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Friday’s update brings the total number of confirmed COVID cases in Michigan to 1,336,566, including 24,367 deaths. These numbers are up from 1,318,123 cases and 24,090 deaths, as of Wednesday.

Testing has increased to around 40,000 diagnostic tests reported per day on average, with the 7-day positive rate at 19.61% as of Friday -- an increase from last week. Hospitalizations have been steadily increasing for several weeks.

The state’s 7-day moving average for daily cases was 7,167 on Friday. The 7-day death average was 93 on Friday. The state’s fatality rate is 1.9%. The state also reports “active cases,” which were listed at 203,100 on Wednesday.

Michigan has reported more than 10.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered as of Monday, with 71% of 16+ residents having received at least one dose while 61.4% of 16+ residents are considered fully vaccinated.

According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 48 million cases have been reported in the U.S., with more than 775,600 deaths reported from the virus. Globally, more than 7.5 billion vaccine doses have been administered, including more than 452 million doses in the U.S. alone.

Worldwide, more than 259 million people have been confirmed infected and more than 5 million have died, 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.


Coronavirus headlines:



COVID cases and deaths trends by Michigan county


VIEW: Tracking coronavirus cases, outbreaks in Michigan schools


Michigan COVID-19 hospitalizations for adults, kids at all-time high

The number of patients in Michigan hospitals for COVID-19 has surpassed the spring wave and has reached a new record high, according to new data.

MDHHS updated its hospitalization data on Monday after a five-day break for the holiday, showing 4,386 in hospitals statewide with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.

7 takeaways from expert’s Metro Detroit COVID update: ‘I consider this our 4th surge’

A Beaumont Health expert provided a concerning update about COVID and hospital trends in Metro Detroit, calling this the “fourth surge” and sharing three reasons why he believes numbers are once again on the rise.

Nick Gilpin, an infectious disease physician and the medical director of infection prevention for Beaumont Health, held a virtual briefing on Nov. 11 to discuss what he’s seeing in Metro Detroit.

Learn more right here.

Where to find COVID-19 vaccines for kids

Parents are looking for where to get their younger kids a COVID-19 vaccine after the CDC gave its final green light for Pfizer adolescent doses in kids aged 5-11.

Doses should be available at your local pharmacies, doctor’s offices, hospitals and clinics now or very soon. Like COVID-19 vaccines for adults, they are free.

EXPLAINER: What to know about vaccines for kids aged 5-11

We’re tracking any information we get on available clinics and doses for kids 5-11 in the live updates blog here.

Data shows Michigan schools without mask mandates saw 62% more coronavirus spread

As the number of COVID cases continue to surge in Michigan, new data reveals that mask mandates in school appear to be working to slow the spread of the virus.

It is one of the most, if not the most, divisive issue inside the pandemic -- mask mandates, especially in schools. Anger and frustrations has boiled over inside, outside and at board meetings. But new data is supporting the use of masks in schools.

See the data here.

Michigan adopts new definition of school COVID outbreak, raising threshold

Michigan health officials are adopting a new definition of COVID-19 school outbreaks that lifts the threshold from two cases to three associated with a school.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) gets such a definition from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists -- view that here. The new definition changes the threshold to at least three cases within a group, up from two.

Read more here.

Flu expected to circulate more this year due to fewer COVID precautions

While coronavirus pandemic precautions helped keep the flu away last year, experts are worried that we won’t be so lucky this year.

Precautions and restrictions designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 actually also helped prevent the spread of the flu, a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, during the 2020 flu season. This time last year, health experts were concerned that the U.S. would experience a “twindemic” with COVID and the flu, but that didn’t happen, likely due to a combination of mask wearing, social distancing, most schools being closed and overall reduced travel.

But this year, many of those precautions and restrictions are no longer in effect, and the flu is expected to circulate more widely.

Learn more here.

Detroit opens scheduling for third dose of COVID vaccinations

Detroit has opened up scheduling for residents with compromised immune systems to receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.

Residents must have been fully vaccinated for at least six months and have compromised immune systems to schedule an appointment for a third dose.

Third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations, which were approved by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, will be offered at the TCF Center drive-thru to those with an appointment.

Read more here.

CDC recommends vaccinated people wear masks in schools, some indoor settings

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now recommending that even vaccinated people wear masks indoors in parts of the United States where coronavirus is surging.

The CDC on Tuesday, July 27 cited new information about the ability of the delta variant to spread among vaccinated people. The CDC also recommended indoor masks for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to schools regardless of vaccination status.

The CDC said that in the United States most new infections are among unvaccinated people. But “breakthrough” infections, which generally cause milder illness, can occur in vaccinated people.

Learn more here.


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

  • Nov. 15 -- 7,012 new cases
  • Nov. 16 -- 7,281 new cases
  • Nov. 17 -- 7,280 new cases
  • Nov. 18 -- 8,990 new cases
  • Nov. 19 -- 8,990 new cases
  • Nov. 20 -- 5,669 new cases
  • Nov. 21 -- 5,669 new cases
  • Nov. 22 -- 5,670 new cases
  • Nov. 23 -- 8,502 new cases
  • Nov. 24 -- 8,501 new cases
  • Nov. 25 -- 5,065 new cases
  • Nov. 26 -- 5,066 new cases
  • Nov. 27 -- 5,066 new cases
  • Nov. 28 -- 5,066 new cases
  • Nov. 29 -- 5,066 new cases
  • Nov. 30 -- 8,265 new cases
  • Dec. 1 -- 8,265 new cases
  • Dec. 2 -- 9,221 new cases
  • Dec. 3 -- 9,222 new cases

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

  • Nov. 15 -- 32 new deaths
  • Nov. 16 -- 121 new deaths
  • Nov. 17 -- 121 new deaths
  • Nov. 18 -- 64 new deaths
  • Nov. 19 -- 64 new deaths (71 from past two days from vital records)
  • Nov. 20 -- 27 new deaths
  • Nov. 21 -- 28 new deaths
  • Nov. 22 -- 28 new deaths (32 from past three days from vital records)
  • Nov. 23 -- 140 new deaths
  • Nov. 24 -- 140 new deaths (143 from past two days from vital records)
  • Nov. 25 -- 28 new deaths
  • Nov. 26 -- 28 new deaths
  • Nov. 27 -- 28 new deaths
  • Nov. 28 -- 28 new deaths
  • Nov. 29 -- 27 new deaths (57 from past five days from vital records)
  • Nov. 30 -- 179 deaths
  • Dec. 1 -- 179 deaths (160 from past two days from vital records)
  • Dec. 2 -- 138 new deaths
  • Dec. 3 -- 139 new deaths (169 from past two days from vital records)

Coronavirus resources:


COVID-19 Discussion Forum:

Join our dedicated space to discuss the pandemic. You’re invited to share questions, experiences, insights and opinions.

Join the conversation here.


About the Authors:

Cassidy Johncox is a senior digital news editor covering stories across the spectrum, with a special focus on politics and community issues.

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