MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Ingham County as the country enters the ninth month of the pandemic. As of Tuesday, there have been 9,148 cases and 119 deaths.

53% of deaths in Ingham county have been male while 47% have been female. The 70-79 and over 80 age group still account for the most deaths in the county. Combined, over 70% of deaths are people who are 70 years old and older.

However, 33% of all cases come from the 20-29 age group and 15% of all cases are from the 10-19 age group. Combined these age groups make up almost 50% of all cases.

The test positivity rate, the number of people who test positive per day, is about 10% and will continue to rise. Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail said that she feels comfortable when the test positivity rate is 3% and lower.

While Caucasians make up 60% of all COVID-19 cases, African Americans are 1.5 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than Caucasians. COVID-19 is still affecting African Americans at a disproportionate rate. This is a phenomenon that has been seen all over the country.