New COVID Cases Up; Unemployment Down; Out-Of-Hospital Deaths Up; Drug Keeps COVID Deaths Down; More News

Michigan reported 543 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, the largest number in more than 30 days, according to numbers released by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Overall, Michigan has reported 64,675 cases.

Another 15 new deaths were reported over the 24 hour period from Wednesday to Thursday, raising the total number of deaths to 5,966.

Over the seven day period between June 26-July 2, Michigan was averaging 338 new cases a day. In the seven days prior (June 19-25), the average was 241 new cases day. Between June 12-18, the daily average was 160 a day.

These numbers aren’t even close to the daily numbers being reported in higher-populated Southern states. Texas reported 8,076 new cases on Wednesday. Florida reported 6,563 new cases on Wednesday. Arizona reported 4,877 new cases Wednesday. Georgia reported 2,946.

Number Of Michiganders Taking Unemployment Drops To 584,424

A total of 584,424 Michiganders were receiving unemployment insurance benefits for the week of June 13, dropping the state’s unemployment rate to 13.6%.

The Great Lakes State was not among the country’s top 10 in unemployment for the week of June 13, falling to 13th on the list, according to U.S. Department of Labor numbers published Thursday.

Back on April 25, Michigan had the nation’s highest unemployment rate among the states at 23.14% with nearly 1 million Michiganders collecting unemployment.

62% Jump In Out-Of-Hospital Deaths Reported

Out-of-hospital deaths recorded by emergency medical service (EMS) providers is up 62% this spring over last year as people avoid the hospital amid the COVID-19 pandemic at their own peril.

Heart attacks occurring outside the hospital from March 15 to March 23 increased 43% compared to the same dates in 2019, according to what Michigan EMS agencies are reporting.

Meanwhile, statewide EMS transports are down 17% in that time period, with heart attack patient transports down nearly 10% and stroke patient transfers down 12.1%. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued a press release with this data, which includes 282 of the 286 transporting agencies within Michigan.

“It is incredibly important that people not delay care, especially if they are having concerning symptoms like chest pain, difficulty breathing or dizziness,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state’s chief medical executive. “Hospitals and EMS providers are working hard to keep patients safe, so please contact them if you are having a medical emergency.” 

Hydroxychloroquine Cutting Death Rate Among COVID-19 Patients

Treating sick COVID-19 patients with hydroxychloroquine cut in half the death rate in sick patients — and without heart-related side effects, according to a new study published by Henry Ford Health System.

Among the 2,541 hospitalized COVID-19 patients between March 10 and May 2 across the health system’s six hospitals, 13% of those treated with hydroxychloroquine died compared to the 26.4% of those who were not and died.

“Our analysis shows that using hydroxychloroquine helped save lives,” said neurosurgeon Dr. Steve Kalkanis.

Overall, the in-hospital mortality rate of COVID-19 patients was 18.1% with mortality highest in Caucasian adults over 65 with reduced oxygen levels and who required ICU admission.