Michigan health officials list 435 coronavirus cases among students and staff connected to outbreaks at 84 schools in 31 counties, an analysis of weekly data shows.
The total of new and ongoing cases rose by 25 percent in one week, according to Bridge Michigan. Sixteen more K-12 schools were added to the list Monday.
At the higher education level, 5,368 cases of Covid are connected to outbreaks at 30 colleges and universities, up 9 percent from Oct. 12.
Students this month at the University of Michigan, which has at least 836 Covid cases. (Photo: Instagram/U-M)
Bridge summarizes these details:
Most K-12 outbreaks involve fewer than 10 cases. Exceptions include ... 17 at Father Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor and 17 at Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte. ...
The biggest college outbreaks: 1,622 at Michigan State University in East Lansing; 922 at Grand Valley State University in Allendale; 836 at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor; and 738 at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
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In Metro Detroit, Madonna University in Livonia reports 14 confirmed diagnoses among students and Oakland University in Rochester has seven affected students.
In Canton, Plymouth Christian Academy this past week notified the Wayne County Health Department of six cases among its high school students and staff.
The state defines outbreaks as two or more Covid cases linked to school grounds, and displays this reality check atop the weekly data: "Many factors, including the lack of ability to conduct effective contact tracing in certain settings, may result in underreporting of outbreaks. This information does not provide a complete picture of school-related outbreaks in Michigan."
The nonprofit news shares this statement from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services:
Everyone is vulnerable to Covid-19, no matter what age they are. Although we are not seeing high rates of hospitalizations and deaths among younger age groups, we know anyone can suffer severe health outcomes from Covid-19 including death, particularly if they have an underlying health condition.
In addition, K-12 school- and college-age students can easily bring the virus home to parents and grandparents and others who may be more severely impacted.
We continue to urge all Michiganders to take precautions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 including wearing masks, social distancing, washing their hands often and staying home if they are ill.
