Metro Detroit Beaumont hospitals are hitting critical capacity amid COVID spike

Hospitals in Beaumont have reached critical capacity levels as COVID-19 infections continue to rise across Michigan, officials said Thursday.

Beaumont Health says Metro Detroit hospitals and staff have reached critical capacity levels during the virus rise. Officials announced Thursday morning that the number of COVID-19 patients in Beaumont hospitals has reached more than 800, more than the number of patients seen during the state’s latest virus surge in the fall. The health care system reportedly only cared for 128 COVID-19 patients on Feb. 28.

Beaumont officials and health professionals are calling for Michigan residents to “personally take immediate action to help stop the spread of the virus.”

“Our COVID-19 numbers are rising higher and faster and it is very disturbing and alarming to see this,” said John Fox, CEO of Beaumont Health. “We are grateful for the knowledge we have gained during the first two peaks. It helped save many lives. We now also have effective vaccines. Now, to flatten the curve, we all have to work together: wear masks, wash hands, avoid large gatherings, exercise social distance and get vaccinated. We cannot do this alone. We need everyone’s help immediately. “

More: Beaumont Health Expands COVID Units Amid Wave, Visitors Need Vaccination Card

Just a few weeks ago, the health system restored visitor restrictions as the spread of the coronavirus has rapidly increased throughout the region in an effort to protect patients and staff. No visitors are currently allowed in the rooms of Beaumont patients who are awaiting or confirmed to be positive for COVID-19.

“The new COVID-19 variants are more contagious. The patients we see are younger and some are sicker and need intensive medical attention, ”says Dr. Nick Gilpin, Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Epidemiology in Beaumont. “Some younger patients also seem to wait longer for care because they think they can beat the virus. By the time they get to the hospital, we see an intense illness with pneumonia, blood clots and serious lung injury. This trend does not seem to be slowing down. “

Beaumont’s announcement comes as several Metro Detroit healthcare systems are raising the alarm about dangerous hospital capacity levels due to the increase in COVID patients in recent weeks.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said last week that about 18 percent of all COVID tests return positive. With such new cases very daily, more people are expected to be hospitalized within a few weeks.

“We are on track to potentially see an increase in the number of cases even greater than the one we saw in the fall,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive.

“Hospitals are evaluating and implementing their power surge plans, including considering canceling elective surgeries that are not time sensitive, and preparing to ensure they have the equipment, supplies, and staff to handle both COVID and non-time sensitive COVID patients can take care of it, ”Khaldun continued.

Despite alarming virus statistics, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has maintained that the state will not impose new restrictions, but will combat the wave by ramping up COVID vaccinations. National health officials disagree with this plan, saying the state of Michigan should “close” in response to the increased virus spread.

During a newsletter Wednesday, Whitmer pushed coronavirus therapies in an effort to help residents infected with COVID-19 and avoid hospitalization. She says the therapies are not a substitute for COVID-19 vaccinations.

More: How Therapeutics Can Help Michigan’s COVID Cases

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