Michigan’s six most-populated counties -- and eight of the 10 largest -- are now below a 7% positivity rate as a seven-day average on coronavirus diagnostic tests.
Those below 7% include Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Kent, Genesee, Washtenaw, Ottawa and Kalamazoo.
The two exceptions among the 10 most-populated counties: Ingham is at 7.5% and Saginaw is at 7.3%.
Statewide, the seven-day average positivity rate is 6.3%, down from 6.5% a week ago. The statewide seven-day average of new cases is now 1,777, down from 2,072 a week ago today.
Below is a closer look at the county-level data, based on the metrics used by the Michigan Department of Heath and Human Services in assessing coronavirus risk levels. The scale used by MDHHS has six levels -- “low” plus Levels A-E.
First, a look at the seven-day average positivity rates by county, grouped by the state’s metric.
- Level E (over 20%): None
- Level D (15-20%): Missaukee and Ontonagon.
- Level C (10-15%): Hillsdale, Branch, Keweenaw, Clare and Leelanau.
- Level B (7-10%): 20 counties, highest to lowest -- Wexford, Cass, Monroe, Lenawee, Shiawassee, Benzie, Livingston, Eaton, Tuscola, Oscoda, Van Buren, Gogebic, Roscommon, Ingham, Allegan, Kalkaska, Saginaw, Newaygo, St Clair and Oceana.
- Level A (3-7%): 40 counties, highest to lowest -- Jackson, Calhoun, Gladwin, Wayne, Macomb, Midland, Arenac, Huron, Alcona, Kent, Berrien, Crawford, Clinton, Kalamazoo, Houghton, St Joseph, Ogemaw, Muskegon, Sanilac, Grand Traverse, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Barry, Oakland, Alpena, Lapeer, Manistee, Genesee, Bay, Osceola, Ionia, Emmet, Dickinson, Mecosta, Antrim, Iosco, Menominee , Mason, Washtenaw and Isabella.
- Low (under 3%): 16 counties, highest to lowest -- Gratiot, Alger, Cheboygan, Montcalm, Delta, Charlevoix, Iron, Luce, Baraga, Mackinac, Otsego, Chippewa, Marquette, Montmorency, Lake and Schoolcraft
The chart below allows you to look up any county by name to see the seven-day average positivity rate for Jan. 18-24. The chart has been changed to compare the average from the past seven days to the average for the previous week.