Detroit Metro hospitals become overwhelmed with patients as COVID cases increase

DETROIT – Emergency rooms are overwhelmed by patients in Metro Detroit.

Michigan continues to lead the country in terms of COVID case rates, but there was a drop in cases on Saturday.

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 diverted, but all ambulance traffic is being treated. Port Huron Hospital said it was sending patients to other hospitals.

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

Dr. Justin Skrzynski helps lead COVID units in Beaumont Royal Oak and said there was no way around it: “We would say that hospitals are around 90-95% now,” Skrzynski said.

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READ: Beaumont officials are very worried about staff as Michigan hospitals fill with COVID patients

This is because he is noticing more and more positive COVID cases.

One of the big problems with COVID care is that it only takes up more space than regular medical care. So you can imagine if the hospital is filled with patients with COVID, they continue to move all non-COVID care, 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 the number of positive COVID cases,” said Dr. Patricia Wilkerson-Uddyback.

Uddyback, along with Detroit Medical Center, said he sees more young people this time.

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“This population of positive COVID cases is much younger. I would say anywhere, from the mid-1920s, the early 1930s to the 1950s, ”said Uddyback. “I think people are starting to take down their guards. I’m outside, it’s warming up. We can’t let our guards down. ”