WYANDOTTE (WWJ) -- A Civilian Disaster Medical Assistance Team will begin treating patients on Monday to support doctors and nurses at Henry Ford Hospital in Wyandotte as COVID-19 cases surge.
The federal government granted Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's request for additional staffing assistance at a fifth Michigan hospital. The team will provide support for the next 14 days.
"I am grateful to our federal partners for providing critical resources and relief to Michigan's hospitals and health care professionals as we face down the omicron surge together," said Whitmer. "We have been facing this deadly virus for nearly two years and our health care workers have been working tirelessly on the frontlines through it all. Every Michigander can take action right now to protect themselves and their loved ones, and help our hospitals and health care workers do their jobs.
The team includes 30 members, including advanced practice physicians, ED and ICU nurses, paramedics, pharmacists, and logistics and supply chain personnel.
"The resiliency and determination of our team members throughout the pandemic have been awe-inspiring. But our team members are battle wearied and drained emotionally, mentally and physically," said Bob Riney, President of Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer at Henry Ford Health System. "This support couldn't have come at a better time for us, as well as the downriver communities we serve."
Four Department of Defense teams have already been deployed to Michigan and are providing support at Beaumont Hospital - Dearborn, Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw and Mercy Health Muskegon.
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The federal staffing teams come as Michigan hospitals strain due to a spike in COVID-19 patients, the vast majority of whom are unvaccinated.
According to health officials, in October, unvaccinated people had 4.3 times the risk of testing positive for COVID-19 and 13.2 times the risk of dying from COVID-19 than people who were fully vaccinated.
From Jan. 3 to Dec. 15, in 2021, people who were unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated represented 85.1% of COVID-19 cases, 88.1% of hospitalizations and 85.5% of deaths.
As of Jan. 7, more than 4,500 Michiganders are hospitalized for COVID-19.
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As cases surge and hospitals reach capacity, Michiganders are being asked to carefully consider where they seek health care. Instead of visiting the hospital or ER, health officials are recommending a visit to a primary care office -- in-person or virtually -- or urgent care.
However, for emergency conditions such as stroke symptoms, chest pain, difficulty breathing, significant injury or uncontrolled bleeding, officials urge Michiganders to seek emergency care.
Whitmer is urging Michiganders to get their vaccine, their booster shot and to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including testing and masking up.
