COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Three more positive cases of COVID-19 were reported in Branch County Sunday by the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, which brings the number of cases in the county up to 29 with two deaths.
The Sunday report also showed there have been 75 cases with seven deaths in Hillsdale County and 21 cases in St. Joseph County.
For the third straight day, no additional local deaths were reported by the C.H.A..
The Calhoun County Public Health Department reported on Sunday there have been 74 positive cases so far with one death.
As of Sunday night, the Michigan Department of Corrections reported 67 prisoners at the Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater have tested positive for COVID-19 with two deaths. There have been 79 tests administered to Lakeland prisoners. Nine tests came back negative with results on three tests pending. In addition, 18 Lakeland staff members had tested positive for COVID-19.
It’s not clear if any of the staff members are included in the Branch County figures.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported on Sunday the total number of cases was now up to 26,638 with 1,487 deaths.
Although a reduced number of COVID-19 cases were reported on Sunday with 645 cases compared to 1,392 on Saturday and deaths were 95 compared to 111 the previous day, the M.D.H.H.S. can not say if this represents a true decline in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the state.
They point out that reported case counts may reflect a reduction in the amount of laboratory testing performed over the weekend and holiday.
In addition, single day fluctuations in the number of confirmed cases may not be significant, as a number of external factors can affect data reporting.
