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Reduced testing suggested as reason for weekend drop in confirmed COVID-19 deaths

Sarah Cwiek
/
Michigan Radio

Sunday’s single-day COVID-19deaths and numbers of positive cases in Michigan were both down, but state officials say the numbers may not be “significant.”

The number of positive cases confirmed on Sunday (645) was just over half that of Saturday (1,210). And the number of deaths (95) from COVID-19 reported in Michigan on Sunday was less than half the number reported on Friday (205).

On paper, it looks like a big drop off. 

But the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the lower daily numbers may be tied to reduced testing over the holiday weekend.

In the past month, 1,487 people in Michigan have died from COVID-19 and 24,638 Michiganders have tested positive since the pandemic struck the state a month ago.  

As of Friday, at least 433 people in Michigan have officially recovered.

Recovery is defined as the number of people with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis who are alive 30 days post-onset (or referral date if onset is not available). The number of people recovered on April 10th, 2020 represents COVID-19 confirmed individuals with an onset date on or prior to March 11th, 2020.

CORRECTION:

This story has been corrected to reflect that while the number of COVID-19 deaths in Michigan has been rising during the past seven days, the number of positive COVID-19 tests has been relatively flat during that period.   

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.
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