Michigan s COVID-19 hospitalizations now exceed fall peak detroitnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from detroitnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Port Huron Times Herald
St. Clair County officials have been making more requests to state-level agencies this month for equipment and personnel help in response to the region’s ballooning COVID-19 surge.
That includes asking for additional ventilators and personal protective equipment, as well as help to fill a nursing shortage amid an increased push for coronavirus vaccines.
Some of that has already come through, according to Justin Westmiller, the county’s emergency management director. But where they need more personnel, Westmiller said county leaders are considering turning to the National Guard.
“I just got off the phone with Doc. … And we were talking about potentially putting in the request here within the next couple of days,” Westmiller said early Thursday afternoon minutes after talking with Dr. Annette Mercatante, the county’s medical health officer. “The reason is we’re looking to add additional vaccine clinics.”
Port Huron Times Herald
Local health officials said the COVID-19 surge has yet to show signs of slowing down or plateauing, as the area region continues to grapple with increasing new daily cases and a spike in deaths.
By Thursday, St. Clair County was approaching 5,000 active cases and 1,800 new reported cases added to its total in the last week. There have also been 23 coronavirus deaths reported since last week roughly the same number of deaths reported by the county in all of March.
Meanwhile, the area’s major hospitals are continuing to see high numbers of patients with COVID. According to the county’s data dashboard, 41.8% of all inpatient hospital beds in the county are occupied by COVID patients, a rate that is also a new high.
St Joseph Mercy Hospital Ann Arbor nears capacity as Michigan sees COVID-19 hospitalizations rise mlive.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mlive.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.