Michigan’s hospitals are overwhelmed, leaving health officials concerned about what could still be coming. Despite that, the state has refused to issue any new restrictions.

Every week, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services puts out new data on different aspects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Officials from Beaumont Health talked about whether Michigan needs another COVID shutdown and many other topics while painting a dire picture of hospitals filling up with COVID-19 patients.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – On its fresh journey throughout Michigan, some of the first doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine have reached the frontline workers who care for the men and woman protecting our nation’s freedom. On Wednesday, Dec. 16, employees at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System received their first round of coronavirus vaccines. Feels like it’s hopefully a turning point in all this.”VA Ann Arbor officials say the health care system has received 1,000 doses of Pfizer’s COVID vaccine so far. Of the first in line to receive the vaccine was nurse Scaff, who actually helped treat the very first COVID-19 patient back in March. VA Ann Arbor housekeeper Darris Deal also received the vaccine on Wednesday, but says he was apprehensive at first.

Among the first Michiganders to receive Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine were 10 health care workers at Ascension Providence Hospital on Wednesday morning. Patel was one of the 10 frontline workers who received the COVID vaccine Wednesday morning. Though the hospital received nearly 2,000 doses Wednesday morning, Ascension officials say only 10 employees were vaccinated because they are taking their time with the vaccine rollout to ensure everything goes smoothly. “There’s just enough nuances to this that we want to ensure that we’re being very thoughtful and going through all of our processes,” said Ascension Michigan Vice President of Operations Excellence, Tammy Merkel. Michigan officials believe that enough doses will be available by the spring of 2021 for all eligible individuals to receive the vaccine.

One of those No votes came from Dr. A Oveta Fuller, a virologist and viral pathogen researcher at the University of Michigan. “Because we are in a COVID pandemic and because so many lives are affected and because the public needs to understand so they know what to do,” Dr. Fuller said. Dr. Fuller said more data would help her be certain that she has done her due diligence. I engage the community about them,” Dr. Fuller said. Dr. Fuller, an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at University of Michigan Medical School will also be a member of the FDA advisory panel for the Moderna vaccine, Thursday, December 17th.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – With the announcement of the Food and Drug Administration vaccine advisory panel recommending the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine needs an emergency use authorization, Michigan is developing a distribution plan once the vaccine is authorized. Related: Michigan officials: COVID vaccine to be distributed in 4 phases, prioritize frontline workersMacomb County health officials announced Friday their plan to move its COVID-19 testing site to the former site of Baker College on Gratiot Avenue in Clinton Township for the winter. County executive Mark Hackel said Friday the county will receive about 1,000 vaccines in the first round of distribution. County officials said the site won’t be a public site until they can get through those workers. The county said they are in need of workers, specifically those qualified to do COVID testing, contact tracing and getting the vaccine to Macomb County residents.

With the announcement of the Food and Drug Administration vaccine advisory panel recommending the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine needs granted an emergency use authorization, Michigan is developing a distribution plan once the vaccine is authorized. Initially, five Michigan hospitals would be the first to get the vaccine, according to the Michigan Health and Hospital Association. The hospitals are Beaumont Hospital in Troy, Ascension Macomb-Oakland in Warren, University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Spectrum Health Butterworth in Grand Rapids and MidMichigan Medical Center in Midland. “Once they are approved, we expect to receive a limited allocation of these vaccines and expect to receive shipments every week,” said Dr. Joneigh Khladun, Michigan chief medical executive. There are about 300 sites across Michigan that have signed up to receive the vaccine, which over the next two weeks, should be about 85,000 doses from Pfizer and 173,000 from Moderna.

Michigan residents between the ages of 30-49 years old continue to record the highest new virus cases per million residents. Specifically, daily new COVID cases have been the highest among those 30-39 years old on average in recent weeks. However, in the last four weeks, COVID cases per million have decreased for all age groups in the state. Michigan COVID hospitalizationsMore than 18.7% of available inpatient beds were filled with COVID patients in Michigan over the last week. Michigan residents over the age of 80 years continue to see the highest virus deaths per million residents.

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.

In response to rising COVID cases and deaths throughout the U.S., some states are ramping up restrictions to help curb virus spread -- like in California, for instance, where residents are heading into another sweeping lockdown. Update Dec. 7: Michigan COVID restrictions extended through Dec. 20: What to knowUpdate Dec. 7: Michigan hospitals urge state to extend COVID restrictions ‘to see meaningful change’In Michigan, the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a “three-week pause” in November that bans indoor dining at bars and restaurants, in-person learning at high schools and colleges and more through Dec. 8. As of Dec. 6, Michigan is beginning to see a slowing growth rate of daily new COVID-19 cases following a surge in recent weeks -- but virus deaths are still rising across the state. COVID hospitalizations in Michigan have also been steadily increasing since October, including upticks in critical care and ventilator use. We want to know: Are you in favor of extending Michigan’s current coronavirus restrictions beyond Dec. 8?

All rights reserved)WARREN, Mich. – Ascension Michigan has issued temporary visitation restrictions to help prevent the spread of coronavirus as cases surge throughout the state. One visitor is allowed for outpatient surgery and must stay in the waiting room. The above restrictions do not apply at Ascension Michigan physician practice sites. A number of other medical centers have also recently ramped up visitation restrictions as COVID-19 cases climb throughout Michigan. The total number of coronavirus cases in Michigan has risen to 277,806, including 8,190 deaths, as of Wednesday.

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.

WARREN, Mich. – A new interactive map shows COVID-19 risk by event size in each Michigan county. In groups of just 10 people, the risk of someone having coronavirus is 19% in Wayne County, 24% in Oakland County and 30% in Macomb County. The leader of the Henry Ford Health System said they’re having the most mask issues in Macomb County. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said it comes down to being responsible. Wright Lassiter spoke about the importance of following COVID-19 safety protocols during a virtual panel conversation among Michigan hospital leaders.

Top Henry Ford Health doctor worried about Michigan COVID-19 deaths rising in near futureIf you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

LANSING, Mich. – On the day that Michigan hospital systems banded together to put out the alert on the rise of COVID-19 cases, Gov. ‘No area of the state is spared’: How COVID-19 is trending in all 8 Michigan regionsA spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey said “Sen. As state officials announce 6,000 new COVID-19 cases daily in Michigan, hospitalizations are starting to trend in wrong direction. During a virtual discussion with the presidents and CEOS of major Michigan health systems, the most pressing concern isn’t space, but staff availability. COVID-19 cases in Michigan are at an all-time high, and Gov.

Whitmer considers all actions to stop spread of COVID-19 in MichiganIf you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

Michigan hospital leaders are worried about health care workers becoming exhausted by eight months of battling COVID-19 as hospitals start to fill up with patients once again. As state officials announce 6,000 new COVID-19 cases daily in Michigan, hospitalizations are starting to trend in wrong direction. During a virtual discussion with the presidents and CEOS of major Michigan health systems, the most pressing concern isn’t space, but staff availability. “It may not be access to a facility need, it may actually be staffing,” Decker said. So that has clearly been our top concern.”LOCAL: Macomb County a ‘pocket’ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO says

The president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System said Macomb County is a “pocket” of Michigan that struggles with COVID-19 mask compliance. Wright Lassiter spoke about the importance of following COVID-19 safety protocols during a virtual panel conversation among Michigan hospital leaders. He said while most people in the state wear masks, there are “pockets” where compliance isn’t up to par. “I would say that while we do see mask usage in many places, there are pockets where there is not good compliance,” Lassiter said. “In the Henry Ford system, our Henry Ford Macomb Hospital has the highest volume by far.

The head of the hospital association in Michigan said one of the main problems with the spread of COVID-19 statewide is that people aren’t convinced certain safety measures are necessarily, so they aren’t going to follow them. Brian Peters, the CEO of the Michigan Heath and Hospital Association, joined top hospital officials Thursday for a virtual discussion about the state of Michigan’s COVID-19 pandemic. Yet Michigan is still seeing its largest spike in COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, with case totals and test positivity rates rising statewide. LOCAL: Macomb County a ‘pocket’ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO saysHe compared COVID-19 protocols to wearing seat belts on the road, saying people won’t follow rules unless they genuinely believe they are saving lives. He and Beaumont Health president and CEO John Fox both said visitors have even resisted simple COVID-19 safety measures while physically inside hospitals.

As the number of Michiganders hospitalized with COVID-19 rises again, hospitals aren’t planning to shut down elective surgeries. But if the health care system gets overwhelmed, that might be a measure of last resort. Most importantly, health care workers don’t want Michiganders to have to delay necessary care. While all the hospital leaders agreed they don’t want to shut down elective procedures, it’s possible the spread of COVID-19 could reach a point where that’s the only option. That means Michigan hospitals won’t easily be able to transfer patients elsewhere if they reach capacity in terms of space or workers.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is seeing its most rapid spread of COVID-19, and hospitals are trying to keep up without the same resources as the more populated areas of the state. Gar Atchison, the CEO of UP Health System-Marquette and market CEO of UP Health System, joined a discussion among state hospital system leaders Thursday to talk about how COVID-19 is being handled in the Upper Peninsula. “We are seeing some pretty rapid increases, some pretty alarming case rates.”Some hospitals and testing centers in the Upper Peninsula are seeing test positivity rates of 30% multiple days in a row, Atchison said. UP Health System-Marquette is the safety net hospital for the Upper Peninsula, so what happens when the region hits capacity is a major concern for Atchison. ICU capacity outside of Marquette is fairly limited, so that’s the number that I’m paying most attention to.”He said 61% of patients in ICU beds in the Upper Peninsula are COVID-19 patients.

Michigan’s top health officials are concerned about hospitals becoming overwhelmed again as the COVID-19 numbers across the state reach new levels. Early in the-19 pandemic, one of the major problems for Michigan was hospital capacity, as COVID-19 patients filled beds and the state was forced to set up alternate sites. “That’s one of the general concerns,” said Wright Lassiter, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System. Decker said another concern is staff members who have been fighting COVID-19 for the better part of eight months. LOCAL: Macomb County a ‘pocket’ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO says“Our team -- they’ve been dealing with this for a very long time, so they are tired,” Decker said.

The president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System wants Michiganders to follow the simple safety measures in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, but if they can’t, he said other steps might be necessary. “If doing the right thing and using ration and science isn’t sufficient, then there may be other steps that end up being necessary,” said Wright Lassiter, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System. LOCAL: Macomb County a ‘pocket’ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO saysThey said Michiganders should just follow four simple rules: Wear masks, practice social distancing, wash hands frequently and avoid large gatherings. Wright Lassiter, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System, during a COVID-19 discussion on Nov. 12, 2020. MORE: Hospital association CEO: Michiganders who don’t believe in COVID-19 protocols aren’t going to follow themLassiter said a broad-based shutdown of the state likely would not be effective.

As COVID-19 trends worsen dramatically across Michigan, are stricter government regulations inevitable? The presidents and CEOS of Henry Ford Health System, Beaumont Health, Spectrum Health, Munson Healthcare and UP Health System-Marquette joined the discussion to highlight the alarming trajectory of COVID-19 numbers statewide. John Fox, president and CEO of Beaumont Health, said the tools to slow the spread of COVID-19 are already in place. LOCAL: Macomb County a ‘pocket’ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO says“The tools to control it are there. MORE: Hospital association CEO: Michiganders who don’t believe in COVID-19 protocols aren’t going to follow them“They’ve been much more targeted, where government did intervene,” Anderson said.

Leaders from four major hospital systems in Michigan came together Thursday to share the alarming trends they’re seeing as COVID-19 cases increase drastically statewide. “Our state is now in a phase of exponential increases in both COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 hospitalizations,” said Gerry Anderson, executive chairman at DTE Energy and a member of Gov. “Over the last five weeks, cases in Michigan are up more than five-fold,” Anderson said. Leaders of Henry Ford Health System, Beaumont Health, Spectrum Health and Munson Health shared some of the COVID-19 trends they’re seeing in their hospitals. Henry Ford Health SystemThe story is the same in Henry Ford hospitals, according to Wright Lassiter, the president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System.

Michigan hospitals are rapidly filling with COVID-19 patients once again, and experts are warning residents that if this trend continues, it will be disastrous for the state’s health care system. The MHA represents all the hospitals and health systems throughout Michigan. “Our hospitals are rapidly filling with COVID-19 patients at a very alarming rate,” Peters said. He and other state health care leaders are concerned about what’s ahead for hospitals if the trends don’t reverse. The health care system can capsize if you don’t keep it under control.”

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan health officials are reporting significant increases in out-of-hospital emergencies and deaths amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Hospitals and medical centers were initially overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients when the pandemic hit in Michigan in March, which led people to avoid seeking care unrelated to COVID-19. Emergency centers remain open and most selective operations have resumed at medical centers across Michigan. Some states are reporting an increase of around 40,000 COVID-19 cases in just the last week. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer moved some counties into “high risk” categories due to recent spikes in COVID-19 cases.

Numbers compiled by the Associated Press show roughly two out ever three general hospital beds in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties were full on a daily basis in 2018. Intensive care beds for the three counties were about 60% full. Kent County, which includes Grand Rapids, had the highest average daily use of general beds at 75%, while 71% of intensive car beds were full. Marquette County in the Upper Peninsula had an 80% usage of intensive care beds, according to the data. Along with hospital usage rates, the map also shows the percent of county populations over 60 years old.