Michigan Covid surge raises fears it’s an early sign of things to come across US

State recorded nearly 17,000 new cases last week as numbers underscore the need for a speedier vaccine rollout, experts say

A recent jump in Michigan Covid cases and hospitalizations is alarming public health officials and raising fear that it could be an early sign of things to come across the rest of the country.

Michigan recorded nearly 17,000 new cases last week, which represents a more than 300% increase from the same week last month. Its per-capita rate over the last week is the nation's fourth highest, while its positivity rate recently hit 9% - the highest mark since mid-January.