Daily COVID-19 update: Greater Lansing adds 315 cases, 6 deaths

LANSING – Even as health officials note that more residents are taking steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the case count and death toll from the disease continue to roll upward.

On Tuesday, the state's top medical executive cited declining case rates as reason for optimism that people are rising to the challenge. But Dr. Joneigh Khaldun also noted the virus is still prevalent and cautioned that the effect of Thanksgiving gatherings and travel won't be known for weeks.

Under a current state health order, dine-in service at restaurants is suspended and entertainment businesses are closed. It was unclear if Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's administration will extend the restrictions once the order expires on Dec. 8.

Here's a look at data reported on Wednesday:

Greater Lansing adds 315 new cases, 6 more deaths from COVID-19

State officials reported a total of 6,955 new cases and 81 more deaths from the disease. Michigan now has nearly 373,200 confirmed cases and 9,405 confirmed deaths.

Greater Lansing added 315 cases and six more deaths.

Ingham County accounted for 164 of those cases, pushing its total to 9,313. Eaton County had 82 new cases for a total of 3,161, while Clinton County reported 69 new cases for a total of 2,736.

Ingham County reported four new deaths on Wednesday, while Eaton and Clinton counties reported one each.

Positive test rate remains elevated across Michigan

The number of new cases has generally been declining in Michigan, although the positive test rate has remained at around 13% or 14% over the past week, according to the state data.

The five-county Lansing region's seven-day average positive rate stood at about 11%.

The state's seven-day average of cases per million fell from around 400 on Nov. 28 to 229 on Tuesday. The Lansing region's seven-day average stood at around 251 on Tuesday.

Contact Ken Palmer at kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBPalm_lsj.