Michigan Coronavirus Cases Near 70K, Recoveries Top 53K

MICHIGAN — The state of Michigan reported over 300 new cases of the coronavirus Monday, the same day the state's order requiring the use of face coverings in indoor public spaces took effect.

Health officials reported 384 new coronavirus cases Monday, bringing the statewide case total to 69,722. Michigan also added seven more deaths attributed to the coronavirus, bringing the statewide death toll to 6,075.

The state reported that more than 53,000 people had recovered from the virus as of Friday.

State data suggests there could be more cases of the virus. State health officials reported 7,476 probable cases of the coronavirus, which would bring the statewide case total to 77,198. The state also reported 246 probable coronavirus deaths, which would make the state coronavirus death count 6,321.

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Michigan ranks 13th in the nation in coronavirus cases, according to data provided by the World Health Organization, which takes into account probable cases. The state is seventh in the country in coronavirus deaths.

The U.S. has reported over 3.4 million cases of the virus, according to the World Health Organization. More than 137,000 people have died from the virus in the U.S., while 1.5 million people within the nation have recovered from the virus.

Over 13 million cases of the coronavirus have been reported around the world, according to the World Health Organization. Of those, more than 573,000 people have died. More than 7 million people have recovered from the virus.

Monday's update comes the same day an order requiring face coverings in indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor public spaces took effect. However, questions persist regarding how the order will be enforced.

The order requires any business that is open to the public to refuse entry or service to people who refuse to wear a face covering, with some exceptions. Businesses must post signs at all entrances instructing customers of their legal obligation to wear a face covering while inside. That measure may be increasingly important as several Michigan law enforcement officials have come out saying they do not plan to enforce the order themselves.

In Western Michigan, Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott said his department would not investigate violations of Whitmer's order. MLive reported that the sheriff said he believes Whitmer has overstepped her bounds with executive orders.

Similar issues have presented themselves previously, when businesses refused to close despite mandates from Whitmer to do so.

Read More: Masks Are Required In Michigan. Here's What To Know.

Whitmer on Monday signed a pair of executive orders extending safety measures through August.

Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-148 and Executive Order 2020-149, extending coronavirus adaptation in long-term care facilities to protect residents and staff, and extending existing safety measures, including 2 hours a week of reserved shopping time for vulnerable populations, to protect consumers and employees at grocery stores and pharmacies.

Read More: MI Order Extends Special Shopping Hours For Vulnerable People

In Washtenaw County, health officials said a recent spike of coronavirus cases in people between ages 15 to 25 was tied to a large house party in Saline in early July.

The county said it has identified 43 cases and 66 exposed close contacts, not including family members in the immediate households of cases, tied to the Saline house party alone. A close contact is anyone who had face-to-face contact with an identified case for 15 minutes or more.

Read More: Saline House Party Leads To 43 New Coronavirus Cases: Officials