Michigan Reports 1,383 New Coronavirus Cases, 32 More Deaths

MICHIGAN — Michigan has added 1,383 new cases of the coronavirus and 32 more COVID-19 deaths, according to the latest data released Wednesday by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The latest figures bring the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Michigan to 563,893, according to the most recent state coronavirus data. The coronavirus death toll in Michigan now stands at 14,704, according to MDHHS data.

The state added 1,203 new coronavirus cases and 63 COVID-19 deaths Tuesday. Michigan announced on Saturday that the number of people in the state who have recovered from the coronavirus had reached 481,000.

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Michigan has seen some positive trends concerning its coronavirus numbers in recent weeks, according to data included in a recently released report compiled by the White House COVID-19 Team.

In the seven days during that stretch, Michigan reported 13,707 new cases of the coronavirus, according to the White House COVID-19 data. The rate of new cases reported per 100,000 Michigan residents (137) is an 11 percent decrease from the week prior when Michigan had a rate of 154 new cases per 100,000 residents.

Wednesday's coronavirus figures were released a day after the state also announced it would be offering free COVID-19 testing to private and public school teachers in an attempt to have schools offer in-person instruction by March 1.

The Michigan Safe Schools Testing Program will provide supplies for COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to schools at no cost to districts, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. About 300 schools and 9,000 staff members have signed up for testing so far, officials said.

"Voluntary testing of educators is part of the larger state strategy of keeping students, staff and communities safe while giving children the in-person instruction that they need to learn, develop and grow," Michigan Health Director Elizabeth Hertel said in a statement Tuesday. "Our dedicated teachers are among the frontline workers who have stepped up during this pandemic. Giving them an opportunity to be regularly tested recognizes their sacrifices and keeps everyone safer."