Newly released data shows the large majority of those hospitalized for COVID-19 in Michigan are unvaccinated patients.

To see meaningful change that truly alleviates stress on the healthcare system, we urge the state to extend protections through the holiday season. Michigan was on the path to record COVID-19 case rates, deaths and hospitalizations when this order was adopted in November. Today, our hospitals continue to face critical healthcare worker staffing shortages and troubling bed capacity numbers. Our teams on the front lines are exhausted as this second surge continues; we never truly recovered from the first. All of us wish this holiday season could be normal.

DETROIT – Speaking on Flashpoint Sunday CEO of the Michigan Hospital Association, Brian Peters, warned that if coronavirus cases continue surging Michigan will surpass its record high for inpatient hospitalizations within the weeks ahead. “Looking very specifically at the number of hospitalizations, we are on pace, if the current trends continue to surpass our all time record high that we achieved earlier in the year in terms of inpatient hospitalizations COVID related within the next several weeks. Hospitalizations have increased steadily for the last five weeks, including upticks in critical care and ventilator use. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 251,813 as of Saturday, including 7,994 deaths, state officials report. On Friday, Michigan shattered its previous high for single-day COVID-19 cases, with a record breaking 8,516 cases reported.

DETROIT – While you were voting coronavirus cases surged just as many feared they would. Michigan witnessed its highest single daily case count on Friday. Meanwhile, the state is overwhelmed as hospitals and schools try to adjust to the concerning situation fast. Guests on Sunday’s episode which included Michigan education and healthcare leaders discussed the future as cases continue surging. MHA represents all the community hospitals in Michigan.