Michigan Hospitals Burst To Capacity As COVID-19 Surges Before Thanksgiving

Headed into the holiday season, Michigan officials have been urging the public to avoid in-person gatherings in hopes of avoiding further surges of COVID-19.

As officials brace for a spike, hospitals across the state are bursting at the seams.

Six hospitals have reached 100% capacity and 18 of them have exceeded 90%, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported Tuesday (November 24). That’s a 26% increase of coronavirus patients in less than a two-week time span.

The capacity problem isn’t just about availability of beds for patients. It also poses problems for staffing, MLive reported Wednesday morning (November 25).

The six hospitals at full capacity include Mercy Health St. Mary’s in Grand Rapids, Covenant Healthcare in Saginaw, Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph, Ascension St. Joseph Hospital in Tawas City, Ascension Standish Hospital and McLaren Bay Special Care in Bay City, MLive listed.

Others that are near capacity are located in Detroit, Lansing, Muskegon, Ann Arbor, Flint and more.

“We want to stress that hospitals are safe and any individual with an emergency medical need should seek care immediately,” Michigan Health and Hospital Association Communications Director John Karasinski said. “Hospitals have extensive infection prevention protocols in place to prevent transmission of COVID-19 to the general patient population.”

News of hospitals nearing capacity comes as state officials brace for surges around the holidays.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer previously cautioned: “If we don’t act now, thousands more will die,” projecting that Michigan “could be hitting our daily peak of deaths…come Christmas.”

Earlier this month, Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said “If you are smart now, you may be able to have a safe holiday with your loved ones alive this time next year.”

The state has reported more than 347,700 total cases and more than 9,000 total deaths as of Tuesday (November 24), the latest data available.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human services recently announced additional COVID-19 restrictions, remaining in place through December 8.

“As we celebrate Thanksgiving, the best way for the public to show their thanks to our healthcare workers is to take these preventive measures,” Karasinski added. “Don’t gather with people outside your household, arrange virtual Thanksgiving dinners, and wear a mask whenever you leave home.”

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