PHOTO: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer getting a flu vaccination during a coronavirus briefing on Aug. 25, 2020(*Screen grab).
by: WOODTV.com staff
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Officials said Tuesday that Michigan has recorded 20 more deaths linked to coronavirus and confirmed 779 more cases.
According to data released by the state, six of the 20 newly confirmed deaths were discovered while reviewing vital records.
Overall, the new data brings the total number of deaths to 6,417 and the totalnumber of cases to 98,439 since the virus was first detected in Michigan in March.
MDHHS Chief Dr. Joneigh Khaldun spoke during the Tuesday news conference and said positive testing rates are holding steady at 3.3%. Outbreaks are happening in every region — 70 in total last week. Starting this week, information on each outbreak will be postedonline.
Additionally, the briefing was an opportunity for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is launching a media campaign to urge residents to get their flu shot amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Whitmer said the new campaign is called Facing the Flu Together. It will include advertising through multiple mediums, including TV, social media, podcasts, radio and print.
Dr. Khaldun stressed that health officials say they are worried about having a surge in the flu while battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
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