Coronavirus Watch: Michigan releases new COVID-19 data

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Usually my daughter asks endless questions as I try to get her to bed.

Last night, she wanted to know the words to the song I'd been humming all evening.

"It goes 'We go together like rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong'."

Needless to say, she got to sleep later than I wanted, but I was OK with it, in honor of the dear Olivia Newton-John.

It's Tuesday and this is Coronavirus Watch from the Detroit Free Press. Thanks for joining us today.

Gov. Whitmer tests positive

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is isolating today after testing positive for COVID-19 on Monday evening.

"Thankfully, I am only experiencing mild symptoms after being fully vaccinated and twice boosted," she said in a statement issued late Monday.

She said she plans to maintain a remote schedule after speaking with a state doctor.

Meantime, President Joe Biden left the White House on Sunday for the first time in more than two weeks after recovering from a mild rebound case of COVID-19.

The president worked throughout his illness, holding virtual events and making public appearances at the White House while practicing social distancing.

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📈 Michigan's numbers

Over the last week, Michigan reported 16,137 new COVID-19 cases, an average of 2,305.3 cases per day, and 137 new deaths, according to data released Tuesday by the state health department.

New cases decreased by 20% compared to last week, and new deaths represent a 29.2% increase from the previous report.

Over the last week, the positivity rate for diagnostic tests is 21.55%%, with 19,629 of 91,098 tests positive.

Other COVID-19 news

Oh, Sandy

Olivia Newton-John, the Grammy Award-winning singer and actress best known as Sandy in "Grease," died at age 73 after battling breast cancer.
Olivia Newton-John, the Grammy Award-winning singer and actress best known as Sandy in "Grease," died at age 73 after battling breast cancer.

My heart sank a little when I saw the New York Times push alert on my phone Monday. Olivia Newton-John, the "Grease" star and Grammy Award-winning singer, had passed away at 73 from breast cancer.

I didn't know, until I started reading more about her, that she initially almost turned down the role that turned her into a mega-star. Why? She didn't think she could play a high schooler at the age of 28. Of course, it's hard to imagine anybody else in that role today.

Her 'Grease' co-star John Travolta offered a fitting tribute to the star on Instagram.

You might find Tears on your Pillow after reading it.

Hopelessly Devoted to this newsletter,

— Elissa Robinson, Detroit Free Press web editor

Contact Elissa Robinson at erobinson@freepress.com.

Go ahead and scroll down for coronavirus news you should know about.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Coronavirus Watch: Michigan releases new COVID-19 data