(WWJ) Michigan has surpassed 150,000 coronavirus recoveries.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reports 152,267 residents are considered recovered from the virus after surviving 30 days since testing positive.
This comes as Michigan shatters daily records for new cases and hospitals fill up.
The MDHHS reported 7,528 new cases on Saturday and 42 new deaths. 59 deaths were also identified through a records review, adding a total of 101 to the death toll.
The state also surpassed 300,000 total cases, just over two weeks after hitting 200,000 cases.
As of Friday, more than half a dozen hospitals in the tri-county area are 90% capacity or above including all patients regardless of COVID-19 status.
Detroit Receiving Hospital is at 96% capacity with 27 patients who have tested positive for the virus, and 9 in the Intensive Care Unit.
Harper University/Hutzel Women’s Hospital is at 97% capacity with 22 COVID-19 patients total, 8 in the ICU.
In Macomb County, Ascension Macomb-Oakland Warren is at 93% with 50 COVID-19 patients, 15 in the ICU. McLaren Macomb; 92%, with 79 COVID-19 patients, and 10 in the ICU; Henry Ford Macomb is also at 92% with 164 COVID-19 patients, 27 in the ICU.
In Oakland County, Ascension Providence Hospital Novi is at 90% capacity with 68 COVID-19 patients overall and 0 in the ICU.
For a complete breakdown of hospitalizations, click here
It’s not just metro Detroit either. Multiple hospitals in the Lansing and Flint areas, and in Western Michigan, are also over 90% capacity.
At least three hospitals—two on the west side of the state, and one on the east side—are at 100% capacity, according to MDHHS.
Two of them are a part of the Spectrum Health System.
"What we're seeing in our hospitals is that COVID-19 is affecting all groups, young and old, cutting across all populations," Spectrum Health CEO Tina Freese Decker said.
She told WWJ the outlook becomes uncertain once someone has to be hospitalized for this virus.
"We are starting to see more deaths in the last three weeks. The mortality rate for those hospitalized with COVID-19 in west Michigan is about one in every ten people."
8,748 people statewide have died after testing positive for the virus, out of a total of 302,705 cases, according to MDHHS. The fatality rate stands at 2.8%, a drastic decrease from about 10% in the early days of the pandemic.
Of those who passed away, more than 7,500 were over the age of 60.
645 Michiganders between the age of 50 and 59 died from the virus; and 244 people, 40 to 49 years old.
Over 100 people in Michigan under 40 died after testing positive for COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the risk for complications goes up by age. People with the following conditions are also more likely to have serious trouble with the virus, according to the CDC:
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2)
Severe Obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2)
A model predicts Michigan may see 1,000 deaths per week from the virus if we continue on our current trend.
Health officials are urging Michiganders to avoid combining households for Thanksgiving. A recent epidemic order from the MDHHS limited indoor gatherings to a maximum of 10 people from no more than two households, in addition to closing high schools, colleges, indoor dining at bars and restaurants and entertainment venues until at least December 8.
For CDC alternatives to celebrate Thanksgiving, click here.
"At the rates we are seeing in the state right now, it is very likely that if you are gathering for Thanksgiving, the virus will also be around the table with you," said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Chief Medical Executive for Michigan.
"Bad decisions made at Thanksgiving will mean people will be mourning the deaths of their loved ones by New Years."
The positivity rate for COVID-19 tests statewide is over 11%, twice what it was one month ago.
Health officials are beseeching all Michiganders to wear a mask over their nose and mouth whenever in public, or indoors with people outside their household; wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds; avoid gatherings and unnecessary outings. They also urge anyone who shows symptoms--including fever, cough, shortness of breath or sore throat-- to stay home and get tested.
To find a testing site near you, click here.
While reminding a vaccine is coming and these restrictions are temporary, MDHHS director, Robert Gordon, likened every Michigander to firefighters rescuing someone from a burning building.
“With COVID on track to kill one thousand Michiganders each week in every corner of the state, Michigan’s house is on fire,” Gordon said. “And each of us can be a hero who helps save lives.”
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