Michigan’s rate of new COVID-19 cases has been dropping for more than 29 days, a state scientist reported Wednesday.
“It will be important during this holiday season, as well, and New Year’s Eve, to ensure we’re maintaining that social distancing. That will be very important,” said Sarah Lyon-Callo, head of the epidemiology bureau.
“We’re going to be watching these data throughout the holiday season to determine if we’re going to see any sort of case resurgence,” Lyon-Callo said.
The state last week reported its lowest weekly new case total, 28,072, since the end of October. The state reported a record total, 50,892, during Nov. 15-21, The Detroit News reported.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer responded with a ban on indoor restaurant dining, in-person high school classes and other business restrictions. The dining ban remains in place through Jan. 15.
“We’re hopeful that Michiganders do what we did over Thanksgiving, didn’t travel as much, didn’t gather as much, didn’t contribute to as much spread,” Whitmer said. “And if that’s the case, we could take more aggressive steps to reengage right after the first of the year.”
Meanwhile, the health department said more than 231,000 doses of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have been delivered to local health departments and hospitals. More than 120,000 additional doses are expected next week.
