Daily coronavirus COVID-19 deaths were down significantly Saturday, with the number of new cases below 800 for the third day in a row.

The updated numbers were posted Saturday, April 18 by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The data shows there were 81 new deaths for Saturday, down from 134 deaths the previous day. The new cases were at 768 for Saturday, up only slightly from 760 on Friday.

Michigan now has 2,308 deaths attributed to COVID-19 and 30,791 cases.

The 81 new deaths for Saturday was the lowest daily total since 77 new deaths on April 5.

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State health officials recently began posting data on recovery numbers, to be updated every Saturday.

The new numbers show 3,237 people have recovered from COVID-19, up from last week’s initial numbers of 433.

According to the state, a recovery means someone who was a confirmed case is alive at least 30 days past their onset of illness.

The total COVID-19 tests recorded Saturday was 5,392, the highest number of daily tests to come back since about 6,400 tests on April 4.

More testing is coming, as the state is opening 13 new testing sites and increasing testing capacity by 40 percent.

Michigan is now reporting a fatality rate, and that remained at 7 percent on Saturday. The rate is simply a ratio of the total deaths and total positive cases.

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The data shows that, of the state’s 83 counties, 78 now have at least one COVID-19 case.

There are 52 counties with at least one death.

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Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties remain the three hardest-hit areas in Michigan with more than 77 percent of the total confirmed cases and more than 82 percent of the state’s deaths from the virus. The trio of Southeast Michigan counties are home to 39 percent of the state’s residents.

In Detroit alone, there are 7,497 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 589 deaths. The disproportionate number of cases in the metro Detroit area is a result of multiple factors, including the large population, more aggressive testing in those counties and community spread of coronavirus, according to experts.

Here’s a look at the Michigan counties with the most confirmed cases:

1. Wayne County: 13,471 cases (1,070 deaths)

2. Oakland County: 6,021 cases (458 deaths)

3. Macomb County: 4,251 cases (384 deaths)

4. Genesee County: 1,228 cases (112 deaths)

5. Washtenaw County: 870 cases (29 deaths)

6. Kent County: 460 cases (23 deaths)

7. Saginaw County: 394 cases (24 deaths)

8. Ingham County: 304 cases (6 deaths)

9. Livingston County: 276 cases (10 deaths)

10. St. Clair County: 241 cases (7 deaths)

For more statewide data, visit MLive’s coronavirus data page, here.

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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