GENESEE County, Michigan-This county can help local hospitals communicate when to use emergency rooms to reduce volume pressure on McLaren Flint Hospital and Hurley Medical Center.

Officials from the County Health Commission said this week that they may be able to use funds from the American Rescue Program Act to pay for radio advertising, recommending that those with minor illnesses seek emergency care or treatment from a doctor’s office when they are not serious. Constitute an emergency.

Danielle Leder, chief epidemiologist at the Ministry of Health, said: “Some of our hospitals have reported to us that they are worried because they are at or near full capacity.” “They want to help. "

Hurley reached a 100% bed occupancy rate this week, and a spokeswoman said that rising COVID-19 cases and other viruses are helping to drive high demand for services.

As of Monday, November 15, the hospital's patient census included 43 COVID-19 patients, 14 of whom were in the hospital's intensive care unit.

Since then, the patient census data of hospitals in Michigan has not been updated.

With the exception of Hurley, as of Monday, the bed occupancy rate at McLaren-Flint Hospital was 96%, with 58 COVID-19 patients, 12 of whom were in the intensive care unit.

The Ascension Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc Township has a capacity of 83% and has 70 COVID-19 patients, 21 of whom are in the intensive care unit.

Genesys said in a statement to MLive-The Flint Journal that it is responding to its population problems.

The statement said: "Our priority is the safety and well-being of the patients and communities we are fortunate to serve." "Ascension Michigan's hospital is currently capable of treating all patients, including those diagnosed with COVID-19.

"All our hospitals, including Ascension Genesys Hospital, have a surge plan specifically for this facility, and we can quickly adapt to the needs of patients and the needs of the community's healthcare."

McLaren spokesperson Brian Brown said that the number of COVID-19 patients on the Flint campus of the hospital system has steadily increased in recent weeks.

"The hospital currently has a high census and occupancy rate. It is important to note that the hospital census will fluctuate based on the number of patients in need of care and the number of patients discharged throughout the day," Brown said.

"We have been monitoring the census and any challenges that it may bring, and in turn adjust our operations to continue to meet all healthcare needs."

The Wall Street Journal was unable to immediately reach a spokesperson for Hurley for further comment on Friday, November 19.

The county's deputy health officer Kayleigh Blaney said that the idea of ​​using COVID-19 funds to reduce the flow of people in the emergency room is being explored, but the county committee will not consider it until at least next month.

In dealing with a wave of coronavirus patients, regional hospitals are not alone.

Officials from a healthcare provider based in Grand Rapids stated on Tuesday, November 16 that with the increase in COVID-19 cases and other patients with serious medical problems continuing to come to the hospital in large numbers, Spectrum Health is in an “unprecedented” position. field.

As of Monday, hospitals are caring for more than 3,200 COVID-19 patients across the state.

With the surge in COVID-19 in Flint, Hurley Medical Center reaches 100% capacity

"What we are experiencing today is unprecedented," Spectrum Health said, as the number of patients rises

Kalamazoo-based Bronson Healthcare’s COVID hospitalization rate reaches its highest point in a year

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