Hand sanitizer bottles are handed out at a free coronavirus testing in Muskegon Heights, Michigan on Saturday, May 23, 2020. Michigan National Guard teams up with Mercy Health and the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency provide free testing to the community. Alison Zywicki | azywicki@mlive.com
The number of new coronavirus cases in Michigan exceeded 600 Saturday, the third time this week that cases reached that level.
The Saturday, July 11 total of 653 cases also was the highest daily level since May 20, when cases reached 659.
The state also reported 28 new deaths, with 22 of those coming from a check of vital records.
Michigan now has a total of 68,948 cases and 6,067 deaths.
Health officials recommend looking at seven-day moving averages to evaluate data trends during the pandemic. The state is now averaging 488 new cases and 14 new deaths per day.
That’s up from 361 new cases per day for the week earlier and 9 deaths per day.
As of July 10, hospitals in Michigan were treating 366 coronavirus patients, including 99 on ventilators. About 74 percent of in-patient hospital beds were reported occupied in total.
Here’s a look at the five Michigan counties with the most confirmed cases.
1. Wayne County: 22,832 cases (2,638 deaths)
2. Oakland County: 9,479 cases (1066 deaths)
3. Macomb County: 7,536 cases (891 deaths)
4. Kent County: 5,299 cases (139 deaths)
5. Genesee County: 2,309 cases (266 deaths)
COVID-19 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.
Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued an executive order requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nose while i