Michigan kids hospitalized with COVID-19 hit a new high this week
By Jack Nissen
LANSING, Mich. - A growing consequence of Michigan s latest COVID-19 surge is coming into focus this week - the number of kids hospitalized with coronavirus.
According to data from the Michigan Hospital Association, pediatric patient hospitalizations grew by 311% from Feb. 19 to April 20, increasing from 17-70 inpatients. (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
The number of pediatric patients in beds in Michigan hospitals hit an all-time high as the state tries to stamp down its latest surge in cases.
At its highest rate recorded this week, 70 kids had been admitted with a COVID-19 infection - more than double the rate during the state s autumn surge.
More Michigan Kids Hospitalized With Covid
The state of Michigan is breaking a record that nobody wants broken, children hospitalized with the Coronavirus are at the highest numbers seen during the pandemic. Even higher than during the fall surge.
The Michigan Hospital Association confirmed to Fox 2 in Detroit that pediatric patient hospitalizations grew by 311% from Feb. 19 to April 20, increasing from 17-70 inpatients.
Speaking at a press briefing earlier this week, Spectrum Health West Michigan President Darryl Elmouchi noted that the average age of those hospitalized with Covid-19 has dropped in the health system:
What we’re seeing during this surge is decidedly different from an age standpoint. You’re all aware that during the initial part of the pandemic and, quite honestly, until we had vaccines, we saw an older demographic coming to the hospital who were ill with COVID. Today in our hospital the average age of a patient with COVID-19 is 57. This is almost a decade you
Whitmer wants vaccines, not restrictions, to end Michigan coronavirus surge. Experts say it won’t happen.
Updated 11:08 AM;
Today 9:00 AM
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer receives her first dose of Pfizer s COVID-19 vaccine from Dr. Joneigh Khaldun at Ford Field on Tuesday April, 6, 2021.Nicole Hester/Mlive.com
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Vaccinations are unlikely to bring a swift end to Michigan’s record-setting COVID-19 outbreak.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer imposed some of the toughest restrictions in the country when cases exploded across the state last year, but now she’s asking residents, schools and restaurants to voluntarily limit their activities. While Whitmer said she’s using every “tool in the toolbox” as infections in Michigan are at a national high, that no longer appears to include shutting down activities with state health department orders.
Pine Rest says state erred by denying its 60-bed expansion request
Updated 3:28 PM;
Today 3:28 PM
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, shown in this file photo in Cutlerville, is seeking state permission to add 60 mental health beds in West Michigan. (MLive file photo)
Cory Morse | MLive.com
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services says the state erred last month when it declined its application to provide 60 additional in-patient psychiatric beds at its Gaines Township headquarters and instead approved a competing request by Havenwyck Hospital.
Pine Rest is now asking the state to reconsider its decision.
Rare COVID-19 complication is putting kids in ICU sfgate.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sfgate.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.