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The rise of April 1918 is the first wave of the flu pandemic, less deadly. The second wave, in which the flu virus became a much more deadly strain, hit Michigan in late September and deaths skyrocketed in October.
In mid-October, the governor and the state health department ordered the closure of churches and "public entertainment venues," ranging from cinemas to saloons. Many communities have also closed schools. Following the reopening of these facilities in November, deaths increased in December.
Another factor contributing to the increase in the number of deaths in December was the spread of the disease in Michigan.
The pandemic hit Michigan's urban centers first and hardest. About three quarters of all deaths occurred in the southern third of the Lower Peninsula, and October was by far the worst month.
The central and northern part of the Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula, including cities such as Grand Rapids and Saginaw, are generally affected later, and the death toll in these counties peaks in November, December and even in January 1919.
Below you will find an interactive map showing the 1918 death rate, which is the total number of deaths per 1,000 population. You can place your cursor over a county to see the underlying data.
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