Reopening of schools and economy fuels Michigan’s new pandemic surge
The fourth surge of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States is now decisively under way, and Michigan is the epicenter. On April 8, the state’s daily case rate was by far the worst in the country, 70.2 per 100,000 people the next highest, New Jersey, was 46.9. Daily cases in Michigan are now about six times higher than they were at their low in late February, and are approaching their highest levels ever.
The five worst-affected metropolitan areas in the US are all in Michigan: the south-central city of Jackson is the worst at 92.8 daily new cases per 100,000 people, followed by Detroit at 84.7, Flint at 79, Monroe at 72.4, and Bay City at 71.5. Michigan’s test-positivity rate of 15.5 percent is also the highest in the country, followed by Puerto Rico at 13.5 and South Dakota at 10.4.
Whitmer urges virtual school classes, no youth sports for two weeks
Lansing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is strongly urging Michigan s high schools to suspend in-person classes and youth sports for two weeks as well as asking diners to avoid eating at restaurant indoors for the same period to combat a surge in cases and hospitalizations. We all need to go above and beyond the rules that are already in place, she said.
The governor also asked people to avoid indoor gatherings in general and pushed for more people to get the vaccine. But Whitmer avoided having her state health department director issue new epidemic orders to require the actions.
Credit Katherine Raymond / Michigan Radio
As a third, intense coronavirus wave bears down on Michigan, several hospital leaders from around the state said Thursday they have no choice but to postpone some surgical procedures to ensure they have the capacity to care for the crush of sick COVID-19 patients coming through their doors. We are really at a very critical junction, said Bob Riney, COO and president of health care operations for Henry Ford Health System, which is delaying some procedures Thursday and Friday at its Macomb hospital to manage the capacity crisis. After enduring the first two surges and the gains we made to bring down hospitalizations the past couple of months, none of us expected what we are seeing today. This should make all of us extremely concerned not just the health systems and the hospitals, but the people of all communities across Michigan.
COVID-19 cases continue to surge locally, statewide sooeveningnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sooeveningnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
In Region 6, including Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon Counties, COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased 101% from last week. Author: Alana Holland (WZZM13) Updated: 6:01 PM EDT April 7, 2021
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. During an update by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the State Epidemiologist said the state has a 45 percent growth in hospitalization rates for COVID-19. In Region 6, which includes Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon Counties, hospitalizations have increased 101 percent from last week, with 274 people admitted to inpatient care.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions have also grown. The state saw a 43 percent jump. Region 6 saw an 86 percent increase from just last week. Sarah Lyon-Callo, the State Epidemiologist, said this week hospitals are forecasting what the numbers may look like if they continue at the current rate.