Metro Detroit hospitals are overwhelmed by patients as COVID cases increase

DETROIT – Emergencies are overflowing with patients at Metro Detroit.

Michigan continues to lead the country in terms of COVID cases, but on Saturday saw a drop in cases.

April 17, 2021: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 785,307; The death toll is now 16,840

The state added 5,530 new cases on Saturday.

Huron Lake Medical Center said ambulance traffic is being redirected, but all foot traffic is being treated. Port Huron Hospital said it sends patients to other hospitals.

“One of the big concerns we have right now is capacity,” Dr. Justin Skrzynski said.

Dr Justin Skrzynski helps run COVID units at Beaumont Royal Oak and said there is no way to fix it: “We would say hospitals are at 90-95% right now,” Skrzynski said.

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TO READ: Beaumont officials are very concerned about staff as Michigan hospitals are filled with COVID patients

This is because they see more and more positive cases of COVID.

“One of the big problems with COVID care is that it only takes up more space than regular medical care. So you can imagine that if the hospital is filled with patients with COVID, they will continue to shift all the care that is not COVID, more and more, ”said Skrzynski.

And they are not alone.

“So right now at Detroit Medical Center, like everyone else, we’ve seen an increase in positive COVID cases,” Dr. Patricia Wilkerson-Uddyback said.

Uddyback, with Detroit Medical Center, said they see more young people this time.

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“This population of positive COVID cases is much younger. I’d say from the mid-20s, early 30s to 50s, “Uddyback said.” I think people are starting to drop their guards. They’re out, it’s getting hotter. We can’t drop our guards. “