The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reported there were an average of 752 new confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases per day from April 2 through April 6. As of April 6, 453 adults and 17 children were hospitalized with confirmed and suspected cases; 96 adults were in intensive care units, 39 of them on ventilators. The MDHHS is now reporting this data once a week.
The MHA continues to keep members apprised of pandemic-related developments affecting hospitals through email updates and the MHA Coronavirus webpage. Important updates are outlined below.
FDA Revokes Sotrovimab Authorization
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revoked emergency use authorization (EUA) for sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 patients at risk of developing severe disease. This occurred due to the treatment’s ineffectiveness as a remedy for the omicron subvariant BA.2, which is now responsible for more than half of all U.S. infections.
The FDA authorized a new monoclonal antibody, Eli Lilly’s bebtelovimab, Feb. 11 that remains effective against omicron variants; the bebtelovimab EUA is still in place. The MHA will continue to work with the Michigan MDHHS leadership on therapeutics recommendations and availability in Michigan. Members with questions may contact Laura Appel at the MHA.
President Biden Announces Long COVID-19 Care Planning
President Joe Biden announced April 5 that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will assemble a cross-government plan to manage “long COVID.” However, it is largely dependent on being funded by Congress.
The plan’s goals are broadening research, detection and treatment access to fight lingering or late-emerging effects of COVID-19 that are estimated to impact between seven million and 23 million Americans. The symptoms include shortness of breath, heart irregularities, kidney problems and more.
The American Hospital Association (AHA) and other federal advocacy groups sent a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra in March stating that there is “a need for further clinical guidance regarding the symptoms of and best course of treatment for long Covid-19 patients.” According to news reports, the Biden administration needs at least $25 million in the 2023 federal budget to build on tracking and surveillance progress, in addition to the $50 million the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is already spending.
The long COVID-19 plan further includes establishing a Center of Excellence to treat long COVID-19 patients through in-person, multispecialty and telehealth services. The administration reportedly wants to establish long COVID-19 clinics around the country modeled after a Veterans Affairs clinic setup.
The MHA will continue to work closely with the AHA about the viability of this plan, both operationally and politically, and will keep members apprised of progress or plans that may impact hospitals, health systems and their patients. Members with questions may contact Laura Appel at the MHA.
Additional information on the COVID-19 pandemic is available to members on the MHA Community Site and the MHA COVID-19 webpage. Questions on COVID-19 and infectious disease response strategies may be directed to the MDHHS Community Health Emergency Coordination Center (CHECC).