It was a deal that was kept tightly under wraps. If approved, it would create the largest hospital system in the state of Michigan.

Two of Michigan’s largest health care systems are exploring a future together, officials announced Thursday morning.

Beaumont Health announced Sunday that the health system is caring for 1,074 confirmed COVID-19 patients throughout the state of Michigan, as the state’s coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic rapidly evolves. In the announcement, Beaumont Health CEO John Fox urges the Michigan government to require health systems to be more transparent with the public and to share more complete data. “Some other health systems in our region are also seeing large numbers of COVID-19 patients. That said, we all must acknowledge all the frontline health care workers treating COVID-19 patients throughout Michigan and beyond. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily.