GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — As Michigan reported 2,716 more confirmed cases of coronavirus and 33 additional related deaths over the weekend, it also reached the first vaccination milestone tied to the loosening of state restrictions.

The Monday update, which contains two days’ worth of data because numbers are not released on Sundays, brings the total number of cases in Michigan to 865,349 since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 and the total number of related deaths to 18,239.

On Saturday, labs tested 30,358 samples for the virus and 2,431 were positive, a rate of 8.01%. On Sunday, 24,067 samples were tested and 1,571, or 6.53%, were positive.

The number of positive tests is not the same as the number of new cases because people may be tested more than once. Additionally, testing numbers are from a single calendar date, while the number of new cases lists the increase since the last time the state compiled the data; these two time frames do not match up precisely.

The state has added 61 more schools to its list of outbreaks at K-12 schools, colleges and universities, bringing the total number it is tracking at such institutions to 331. Only one of the new outbreaks involved more than 10 cases and most were only two or three.

Kent County reported 233 more cases for a total of 65,914. The number of deaths remained unchanged since Saturday at 741.

Several other West Michigan counties did report additional deaths:

  • Allegan County: One more death for 114 total; 9,590 total confirmed cases since March 2020.
  • Berrien County: One more death for 255 total; 13,521 total cases.
  • Calhoun County: One more death for 264 total; 11,842 total cases.
  • Kalamazoo County: One more death for 330 total; 19,473 total cases.
  • Muskegon County: One more death for 328 total; 14,723 total cases.
  • St. Joseph County: One more death for 89 total; 5,290 total cases.

Wayne County, hit hardest by the virus, counted 538 more cases, bringing its pandemic total to 147,852, and 12 more deaths for a total of 4,509. Neighboring Oakland County has had 99,058 cases (240 more than reported Saturday) and 2,124 deaths (one more). Macomb County has had 89,542 cases (217 more) and 2,199 deaths (one more).

55% HAS AT LEAST ONE DOSE

Michigan has hit its first COVID-19 vaccination benchmark, with 55.02% of people over the age of 16 having gotten at least one dose.

Under a plan set by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her administration, that means in 14 days, on May 24, all sectors may return to work in person.

Whitmer has promised further restrictions will be loosened after the state hits 60%, 65% and then finally 70%.

“If you’ve gotten your safe, effective vaccine, thank you,” Whitmer said in a video posted to social media Monday afternoon. “If you haven’t yet, I encourage you to speak to your doctor, or your friends or family who’ve been vaccinated to learn about their experiences.”

In all, more than 7.4 million doses have been administered in the state. Demand for first doses has dropped off as health officials say that most people eager to get the shot have already had the opportunity to do so. The state averaged about 54,300 doses administered per day last week, down from about 96,300 doses per day at the peak of the rollout in early April.

Health officials are working now to reach people who are hesitant and those who are willing to get the shot but just don’t want to have to make an appointment.

To that end, more walk-in options are becoming available. The West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids has walk-in appointments available from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday. People can get the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine or their second dose of a Pfizer vaccine if they are at least 21 days out from their first dose.

You can also go to the Spectrum Health facility at 4700 60th St. SE in Grand Rapids between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday to get your first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

While virus numbers are still high, Michigan continues to see its key metrics improve. The average test positivity rate has been declining since early April has now dropped to around 10%.

Case rates have been dropping for a month. The hospital inpatient census has been going down for three weeks and is now lower than it has been since late March.

Daily deaths, a lagging metric, are no longer climbing and have been essentially level for the last few weeks.