Michigan reports most virus cases in nearly 2 months

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan reported nearly 900 confirmed new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday — the most in nearly two months — as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she may be forced to move parts of the state backward in her reopening plan if the trajectory holds.

She again pleaded with people to wear face coverings in public. Michigan State men's basketball coach Tom Izzo, women's coach Suzy Merchant and University of Michigan women's coach Kim Barnes Arico joined her at a news conference to push mask wearing.

“I'm asking all the people in this great state ... to listen to the leadership,” said Izzo, who said he has been a "little disappointed” with how some residents have acted. “There's no task that we can't handle, especially when we tackle it together. So I'm asking everyone to join me in wearing a mask, us in wearing a mask.”

The state health department reported 891 COVID-19 cases and four deaths.

Whitmer said Michigan is at a “turning point" and “we're trying to hold on to staying in phase four” — which most regions of the state are in right now. Under phase three, a stay-at-home order was in place.