North Kent News

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has claimed that COVID-19 killed more Michigan residents during April than the amount of Michiganders who died of heart disease and cancer combined the same month.

But Whitmer's claim, which was based on data published on the state's website, isn't accurate, Michigan Capitol Confidential reported. The numbers in the data were oftentimes much larger than the website reported, though. 

When Whitmer made her claim, it was based on information that there were 10,330 deaths in Michigan in April from various causes. The data said 2,366 were from heart disease or cancer and 2,386 were due to the coronavirus. 

But in August, the number of deaths for April was updated to 13,011. Of those deaths, 3,277 were blamed on cancer and heart disease, while 3,232 resulted from the coronavirus. 

The number of deaths also changed in June. It went from 7,107 to 8,195, Michigan Capitol Confidential reported. 

“Deaths reported to the Michigan Vital Records office may be delayed by seven days. Verifying the cause of death, and processing the records from administrative [sic] records may further delay the reports of deaths for statistical purposes," Michigan's official website states.

While the website does inform readers that data may change, it doesn't warn that it could change by such a substantial amount. 

April's numbers were initially underreported by 75%. When reported in May, April's deaths were listed 7,431 on the website. It wasn't until months later that the numbers were updated to represent a more accurate number of 13,011, which is 5,580 greater than how the data was reported in May for the month of April. 

The Michigan state website also has data conflicting with other websites. 

"Currently, the Aug. 3 version of the state’s website indicates that in July, there were a total 3,198 deaths in Michigan from all causes, including 51 related to COVID-19. But a different state website shows there were 214 COVID-19 deaths here in July," Michigan Capitol Confidential said. "These numbers are likely to be much higher when the site is updated again next month."

But the website, which is run by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said it updates information as it becomes available.