The first confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the American state of Michigan were discovered on March 10, 2020, one day before the outbreak of the disease was officially declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. As of December 20, 2022, 2,977,727 cases have been identified, causing 40,657 deaths.Michigan reports 14,323 new COVID cases, 149 deaths over last week WDIV, December 20, 2022
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services made the COVID-19 vaccines available to all residents age 16 years and older on April 5, 2021, in accordance with President Joe Biden's order directing all states to do so by April 19, 2021. As of September 29, 2022, Michigan has administered 16,758,098 doses, with 67.5% of the state's population having received the first dose, 60.6% having received a second dose, and 34.2% having received a third dose.
Condensed timeline
March 2020 March 10: The state's first two cases were confirmed in Metro Detroit, one in a Wayne County resident who had traveled domestically, and one in an Oakland County resident who had traveled internationally. Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency. March 11: Several universities and colleges moved to online education plus initiated various extensions, postponements, and alterations to academic schedules. March 18: The state's first death was confirmed at Beaumont Health in Wayne County, a Southgate man in his 50s with underlying health conditions. Two more deaths reported: an 81-year old in Detroit and a woman in her 50s with underlying health conditions in Pontiac. March 24: Statewide stay-at-home order began, limiting all non-essential travel and discontinuing all non-essential business services and operations. March 26: Several cases were reclassified when the state of Michigan began reporting the Michigan Department of Corrections as its own jurisdiction. March 31: Michigan ranked third nationally for coronavirus-related deaths, behind New York and New Jersey, with a total of 259 deaths.
April 2020
April 1: The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) published it had made a request to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to temporarily waive a number of Medicaid requirements in order to keep Michigan's most vulnerable residents safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. April 2: MDHHS issued an Emergency Order requiring compliance with the state's Executive Orders under penalty of civil fines up to $1,000 and referral to licensing agencies for enforcement. April 3: The state began disclosing recovery numbers, and confirmed 56 people had recovered from COVID-19. April 4: MDHHS issued an Emergency Order requiring funeral homes and doctors to report COVID-19 deaths more quickly as rapid notice can slow spread of the virus. April 8: Michigan became the third state to reach more than 20,000 confirmed cases. April 9: Governor Whitmer extended the stay-at-home order through April 30 and added several new social distancing restrictions. April 24: The stay-at-home order was extended to May 15, with some restrictions lifted and others added.
May 2020 May 1: Governor Whitmer extended the state of emergency until May 28. A security guard was shot dead in Flint after telling a family that one of their members could not enter a Family Dollar because she didn't have a mask on. All four members of the family were charged with various crimes, with a 23-year-old man charged with first degree murder. May 7: Governor Whitmer extended the stay-at-home order until May 28. It modified some of the restrictions of previous orders and allowed factories to re-open starting May 11. May 22: Governor Whitmer extended the stay-at-home order until June 12 and the state of emergency until June 19.Whitmer extends stay-at-home order through June 12 The Detroit News, May 22, 2020 May 25: Governor Whitmer opened Northern Michigan for Memorial Day.
June 2020 June 12: The final stay at home order expired. June 30: Governor Whitmer released the state's "Return to School Roadmap" containing three proposed plans for re-opening K-12 schools for the upcoming 2020–21 school year.
July 2020 July 5: The state reported no new deaths from COVID-19 for the first time since March 17.Michigan reports no new coronavirus deaths for first time since March MLive.com, July 6, 2020 July 24: The Detroit Tigers began their 2020 season after a four-month delay caused by the pandemic.
August 2020
August 7: Governor Whitmer extended the state of emergency until September 4.Whitmer extends coronavirus state of emergency through Friday, Sept. 4 MLive.com, August 7, 2020 August 8: The Mid-American Conference, which includes the Central Michigan Chippewas, Eastern Michigan Eagles, and Western Michigan Broncos, canceled its fall 2020 sports seasons. A month and a half later, it reversed its decision on its football season, voting to play a six-game schedule.Mid-American Conference football to return with 6-game season WDIV, September 25, 2020 August 11: The Big Ten Conference, which includes the Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans, postponed its fall 2020 sports seasons. A month later, it announced an eight-game 2020 football season which would start on October 24. August 12: The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, which is made up mostly of schools in Michigan, postponed its fall and winter sports seasons. August 13: The state reported 1,121 new cases, the highest since May 14, and surpassed 90,000 total cases.Michigan reports 1,121 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, Aug. 13, highest number since May 14 MLive.com, August 13, 2020 August 14: The Michigan High School Athletic Association postponed the football season until spring 2021. August 18: Michigan State University moved all classes for the fall 2020 semester to virtual learning.Michigan State University switches fall semester to remote learning, tells students to stay home MLive.com, August 18, 2020 August 19: Governor Whitmer signed the Return to Learn package of bills outlining instructional requirements for the 2020–2021 school year.Whitmer signs Michigan return-to-learn COVID-19 school bills package WDIV, August 19, 2020 August 20: Fourteen school districts reported COVID-19 outbreaks. The state did not say which specific districts or how many people were affected.14 Michigan schools report coronavirus outbreaks, health officials say MLive.com, August 20, 2020 August 28: The state surpassed 100,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19.Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 100,699; Death toll now at 6,446 WDIV, August 28, 2020
September 2020 September 3: Governor Whitmer extended the state of emergency until October 1.Whitmer extends coronavirus state of emergency until Oct. 1 MLive.com, September 3, 2020 She also reopened gyms and pools and allowed organized sports to resume across the state starting September 9, although her Chief Medical Executive and top public health advisor Dr. Joneigh Khaldun simultaneously released guidance advocating against it.Gov. Whitmer reopens Michigan gyms and pools, allows organized sports to resume WDIV, September 3, 2020Gyms, sports get green light, but Michigan's top doc says you should still avoid both MLive.com, September 4, 2020 September 11: The state reported 1,313 new cases, the highest single-day total since April 24.Michigan reports highest one-day spike in coronavirus cases since April MLive.com, September 11, 2020 September 17: A two-month-old baby died from COVID-19, the youngest known fatality in the state.2-month-old dies of coronavirus in Michigan MLive.com, September 17, 2020 September 29: Governor Whitmer extended the state of emergency until October 27.Whitmer extends coronavirus State of Emergency through most of October WJRT-TV (ABC 12), September 29, 2020
October 2020 October 9: Movie theaters, live performance venues, arcades, bingo halls, bowling centers, indoor climbing facilities, trampoline parks and other businesses were allowed to re-open. October 10: The amount of total recoveries in the state surpassed 100,000. However, the state also reported over 1,000 new daily cases for the fourth day in a row and the sixth time since the beginning of the month.More than 104,000 Michigan residents have recovered from coronavirus since pandemic began MLive.com, October 10, 2020 October 15: The state recorded 2,030 new cases, a new single-day record.Michigan coronavirus cases up to 141,091; Death toll now at 6,973 WDIV, October 15, 2020 October 17: The state's death toll surpassed 7,000.Michigan coronavirus cases up to 144,897; Death toll now at 7,010 WDIV, October 17, 2020 October 22: The state reported 43 new deaths, the highest single-day death toll since May 30.Michigan reports fourth-highest daily increase in COVID-19 cases, most deaths since May WJRT-TV (ABC 12), October 22, 2020 October 24: The state recorded 3,338 new cases, a new single-day record.Michigan coronavirus cases up to 158,026; Death toll now at 7,182 WDIV, October 24, 2020 October 29: The state recorded 3,675 new cases, a new single-day record.Michigan coronavirus cases up to 171,220; Death toll now at 7,298 WDIV, October 29, 2020 October 31: The state recorded 3,792 new cases, a new single-day record.Michigan coronavirus cases up to 178,180; Death toll now at 7,340 WDIV, October 31, 2020
November 2020 In the first two weeks of the month, Michigan set new records for highest number of new cases in a day seven times. The last during this period was on November 13 when 8,516 new cases were reported.Michigan coronavirus cases up to 244,741; Death toll now at 7,929 WDIV, November 13, 2020 In response, Governor Whitmer announced the MDHHS has ordered the closure of several businesses and public services, including high schools and universities, for three weeks, effective November 18. November 16: The state surpassed 8,000 deaths.Michigan coronavirus cases up to 264,576; Death toll now at 8,049 WDIV, November 16, 2020 November 20: The state recorded 9,779 new cases, a new single-day record.Michigan coronavirus cases up to 295,177; Death toll now at 8,377 WDIV, November 20, 2020 November 21: The state surpassed 300,000 confirmed cases and 150,000 recoveries.Michigan coronavirus cases up to 302,705; Death toll now at 8,478 WDIV, November 21, 2020 November 25: A report by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said six hospitals in the state were at 100% capacity and another 18 were at 90% or more. Statewide, almost 4,100 people were hospitalized with COVID-19.6 Michigan hospitals at 100% capacity; 18 more at 90% or higher as coronavirus crisis deepens MLive.com, November 25, 2020 November 28: The state surpassed 9,000 deaths.Michigan coronavirus cases up to 350,021; Death toll now at 9,036 WDIV, November 28, 2020
December 2020