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Spectrum Health in West Michigan sees ‘dramatic’ COVID-19 spike

Published  November 16, 2021 6:21pm EST
Coronavirus in Michigan
Associated Press

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - The number of COVID-19 patients at a major hospital network in western Michigan is up 40% since Nov. 1 as a fall surge pounds the state, officials said Tuesday.

Spectrum Health reported 367 COVID-19 patients at its hospitals, a "dramatic" increase in recent weeks, said Dr. Darryl Elmouchi, president of Spectrum Health West Michigan.

MORE: Michigan has most COVID cases in the nation in latest CDC data

A common thread among many: no vaccination.

The seven-day test positivity rate was 22.6%, the highest since the pandemic began in 2020, Elmouchi said.

The state health department on Monday said it was the first time in more than six months that Michigan hospitalizations had crossed 3,000.

Related: Michigan vaccinates 70% of people 16 and older against COVID-19

"Everybody is seeing this massive uptick," Elmouchi said of Michigan health care providers.

The state reported a 70% first-dose vaccination rate among people 16 and older. About 63% of those 12 and up are fully vaccinated.

Henry Ford faces difficult choices as hospitals fill up again

Once again, Michigan is leading the nation in COVID-19 cases and Henry Ford Health System said they've had to make some cuts on some procedures as Covid cases are putting the hospital at capacity.