KENT COUNTY, MI -- New coronavirus COVID-19 cases increased significantly Tuesday in Kent County, marking the largest one-day jump in cases so far.

The daily new cases increased by 76 to 626 total cases. On Monday, the daily new cases reached 47.

Deaths increased by one to 25.

The 76 new cases represent 12 percent of the total cases in Kent County.

Kent County Health Department Director Adam London, as part of a daily video released on the department’s Facebook page, said the rise in cases wasn’t unexpected.

He said the number of COVID-19 tests performed each day has increased significantly, going from just a few dozen at the start of April to hundreds each day now.

“As we do that, it’s not surprising we’re going to see an increase in cases identified,” he said.

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The eligibility for testing also has expanded. A person can be tested now if they show symptoms of COVID-19, such as cough and fever.

Previously, only people who were very sick could be tested.

Brian Hartl, epidemiology supervisor at the Kent County Health Department, said hospitals and other health care organizations that do testing have more than tripled their testing from two weeks ago.

Spectrum Health, in its latest update on COVID-19 testing statistics, completed 556 tests in a 24-hour period. Of those, nearly 16 percent were positive.

Kent County health care facilities also have begun to release data on the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Michigan coronavirus daily death numbers spike to new high, but with a caveat

The latest data for Spectrum Health shows 93 people being treated at the health care system’s facilities for COVID-19 or suspected COVID-19. Of the 93 people, 56 have tested positive and 37 have tests pending.

On April 10, Spectrum Health showed 57 total patients, with 45 confirmed cases and 12 pending.

Data for Mercy Health St. Mary’s Hospital shows 26 current COVID-19 positive patients at the hospital, with six other inpatients with pending tests. Mercy Health only recently began posting the data.

Metro Health is working to collect data and staff hope to release a web site “dashboard” by early next week.

PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.

Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.

Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and when you go into places like stores.

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