Michigan hospitals are quickly reaching inpatient capacity as coronavirus variants spread throughout the state and contribute to a severe surge in COVID-19. 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.
Chief Medical Officers Urge Michiganders to Help Prevent COVID-19 Spread
The MHA released a media statement April 9 on behalf of Michigan’s hospital/health system chief medical officers urging people to protect those who cannot be vaccinated by taking the responsible, proven preventive measures. The statement provides context on the increased transmission and risks of the virus and associated complications for children.
In addition, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a news conference April 9, which also featured Tina Freese Decker, Spectrum Health president and CEO and MHA board chair-elect, outlining Michigan’s COVID-19 caseload and the need to stop the spread of the virus. The governor is urging federal agencies to redirect resources, including a large influx of vaccine, to Michigan as soon as possible. Her administration has indicated it is focused on getting more vaccine supply to providers/mass vaccination clinics where it can be administered most quickly to stop viral spread.
The Protect Michigan Commission is also planning regional press events, some of which will include hospital/health system participants, to promote the need for everyone eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The MHA will keep members apprised and share any messaging or materials that hospitals can use on their own platforms to amplify the message.
Questions on COVID-19 vaccines should be directed to Ruthanne Sudderth at the MHA.
Testing and Vaccination Key to Curtailing Viral Spread
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is offering free, on-site rapid COVID-19 testing in partnership with Michigan’s intermediate school districts, local school districts and local health departments for residents returning from spring break travel. These fully staffed events are open to students, educators, district staff and community members, and will be scheduled prior to classes restarting. The current list of locations is available on the MDHHS website. Members with questions on testing sites should contact Laura Appel at the MHA.
As part of a virtual session with MHA staff April 5, U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) outlined two strategies hospitals can follow to help address vaccine hesitancy in their communities. She encourages hospitals and health systems to use every patient interaction as an opportunity to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of the reason for the visit. In addition, she suggested facilities provide vaccine educational opportunities in the form of webinars, town halls and other events that feature physicians and can reach vaccine-hesitant groups.
As the vaccine becomes more widely available, hospitals are encouraged to revisit offers to vaccinate employees who declined vaccines when first made available to them. Some may have wanted to wait for a single dose vaccine or a more convenient time, were reluctant to get the vaccine while pregnant, or faced other circumstances that may have since changed. In addition, as the state receives media requests, it is expected to begin sharing data on healthcare personnel vaccination rates. To ensure healthcare organizations are accurately represented in any data sharing that occurs, members are urged to confirm their employee vaccine data is up to date in the state’s EMResource portal.
MDHHS Reinstates 14-Day Quarantine, Reminds Providers to Use Michigan EUA Fact Sheets
Due to increasing case rates and variant spread in Michigan, the MDHHS is reinstating a 14-day quarantine for anyone who experiences close contact with a COVID-19-positive person, removing the option for a 10-day quarantine. The department’s COVID-19 public health frequently asked questions document has been updated to reflect the change.
The department also reminds vaccinators that they need to provide the Michigan versions of the emergency use authorization (EUA) fact sheets available on the MDHHS website. Each fact sheet has been updated and includes information on the Michigan Care Improvement Registry.
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).