MI Hits Triple Digit Deaths For 1st Time Since May, Another Case Record Set

Another single day record for COVID-19 cases was reported by the state Friday – 8,516.

The 8,500+ cases are closer to the current two-day record of 9,010 cases set earlier in the week on Monday, which actually covered two days’ worth of cases. 
 
The cases reported Friday break the single-day 6,940 cases reported Thursday. The cumulative total for cases statewide is now at 244,741. 
 
The state Friday also reported 118 deaths – the first time the state has hit triple digits in deaths on a single day since the 102 recorded on May 19, although the state said 83 of the deaths Friday were discovered in a review of vital records. 
 
The cumulative COVID-19 death toll in Michigan now stands at 7,929.  
 
AARP Nursing Home Data Indicates Resident, Staff Cases & Deaths On The Rise In MI 
 
The AARP’s latest release of its nursing home dashboard is showing a rise in resident and staff cases and deaths, increasing staff shortages, while shortages of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) are declining but still evident in one of every four nursing homes, according to the AARP this week. 
 
Using data released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the AARP Public Policy Institute created the dashboard to provide four-week snapshots of the virus’ infiltration into nursing homes and impact on nursing home residents and staff. 
 
This second dashboard aggregates and analyzes data from nursing homes covering three 4-week time intervals from mid-summer into fall: July 26-Aug. 23, Aug. 24-Sept. 20, and Sept. 21-Oct. 18. 
 
For the period from Sept. 21-Oct. 18, AARP’s dashboard reports that Michigan nursing homes had, according to the AARP press release: 
 
— 1.9 COVID-19 cases per 100 residents, up from fewer than one case per 100 residents in the previous four-week period. 
 
— 0.34 COVID-19 deaths per 100 residents, about three times the number from the previous four-week period. 
 
— 2.5 staff COVID-19 cases per 100 residents, up slightly from the previous period. 
 
— 25.9% of nursing homes without a 1-week supply of PPE, down from 30%. 
 
— 36.3% of nursing homes with staffing shortages, up from slightly from the previous period. 
 
The Healthcare Association of Michigan President and CEO Melissa Samuel said the organization, which represents nursing homes, is “very concerned about the extreme rise in COVID cases throughout Michigan. The sheer volume of rising cases in communities across the state, combined with the asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic spread of this virus, has unfortunately led to an increase in new COVID cases in nursing facilities.” 
 
Samuel said, “nursing facility cases are directly tied to community presence of the virus” and added later that “if we truly want to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in these settings, we must reduce the spread in our communities. All Michiganders can do their part to help by following the recommendations of our health professionals.”