COVID-19 MASKS

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s COVID-19 cases sharply declined during the stay-at-home order, but even with cases currently spiking higher than ever before, there are several reasons a similar order likely isn’t necessary, according to the governor. Gretchen Whitmer was asked Thursday during her COVID-19 press briefing whether another stay-at-home order might help get cases under control. The state reported a single-day high 4,101 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday (Nov. 4). “A key part of that mix this spring was your stay-at-home order. She cited some key differences between then and now that might suggest we don’t need another stay-at-home order to decrease the case count.

Gretchen Whitmer was asked Thursday why she thinks some residents ignore COVID-19 safety orders despite the rising number of cases in the state. READ: How COVID-19 is spreading in all 8 regions as Michigan’s statewide case rate soars“Part of the theory is that people are tired,” Whitmer said. Regional trendsThe region with the highest case rate is the Upper Peninsula, which is reporting 509 cases per million people per day. Khaldun said the region’s case rate has been increasing for nine straight weeks. The Jackson Region is seeing the lowest case rate at 193 cases per million people per day, as well as the lowest positivity rate, at 4.1%.

Gretchen Whitmer is pushing state lawmakers to approve a COVID-19 mask mandate to show bipartisan support for mask wearing across the state. READ: How COVID-19 is spreading in all 8 regions as Michigan’s statewide case rate soars“Fighting this virus needs to be a team sport,” Whitmer said. Regional trendsThe region with the highest case rate is the Upper Peninsula, which is reporting 509 cases per million people per day. Khaldun said the region’s case rate has been increasing for nine straight weeks. The Jackson Region is seeing the lowest case rate at 193 cases per million people per day, as well as the lowest positivity rate, at 4.1%.