The reported number of new COVID-19 cases and deaths across the state of Michigan dropped significantly Sunday.

However, the state of Michigan urged caution against reading too much into the dip, saying the holiday weekend could have caused a lag in test results being reported.

The figures released by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Easter Sunday showed 95 new deaths and 645 new COVID-19 cases.

The last time the number of new cases was less than 1,000 was March 29. And it’s the first time in a week that the number of new reported deaths is below 100.

With Sunday’s new figures, Michigan now reports a total of 24,638 cases and 1,487 deaths.

An MDHHS statement released Sunday afternoon notes that although a reduced number of new cases and deaths are being reported day-over-day “we cannot say if this represents a true decline in COVID-19 cases and deaths in our state.”

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“Reported case counts may reflect a reduction in the amount of laboratory testing performed over the weekend and holiday,” the statement reads. “Single day fluctuations in the number of confirmed cases may not be significant, as a number of external factors can affect data reporting.”

The statement also notes previous decreases as high as 25 percent in reported tests on two recent Sundays (March 22 and April 5).

The state’s first COVID-19 cases were reported on March 10 and the first COVID-19 death was reported on March 19.

Prior to Sunday’s numbers, the state had experienced 13 days in a row with more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases as well as six straight days in the state where 100 deaths were reported.

Data recently included in the state’s COVID-19 figures is the amount of people who’ve recovered from COVID-19.

The number rose from 56 on the first day of reporting Friday, April 10 to 433 on Saturday, with the same number provided Sunday.

Those counted under the recovery category include people who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 at some point, they’re still alive and it’s been at least 30 days since symptoms began.

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The areas most impacted by COVID-19 in Michigan include Detroit with 6,502 cases and 368 deaths; Oakland County with 4,915 cases and 329 deaths; and Macomb County with 3,254 cases and 217 deaths.

Among the COVID-19 deaths, the average age is 73 years old, with a median age of 74 years old and range from the youngest at 20 to the oldest at 107.

Of Michigan’s 83 counties, 75 have now reported at least one case of COVID-19, the same figure as Saturday’s tally, and 47 counties with at least one death related to the virus.

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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