Younger age groups drive rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations in Michigan

COVID-19 hospitalizations in Michigan are increasing again – but data show that it is the younger age groups that are driving the increase.

Inpatient data collected by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) show that hospitalizations increased by 633% for adults aged 30-39 and why 800% for adults aged 40-49.

Hospitalization growth rates decrease as vaccination rates by age increase, with hospitalizations increasing only 37% for adults aged 80 and over, of which 44% of the population is fully vaccinated in the state.

Groups under 50 are among the lowest vaccinated groups in Michigan at the moment as eligibility expands for groups aged 16 and over.

As of March 23, a total of 1,659 inpatients were in Michigan hospitals for COVID-19, including 356 in intensive care and 133 in ventilators. The total number of hospitalized patients has doubled since the end of February.

Ads

Most: Michigan COVID-19 hospitalization data trend tracking

“Michigan is making progress to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing vaccination rates, but the war is not over yet,” said MHA chief physician Gary Roth, DO. “Now is not the time to let your guard down and risk contracting COVID-19 with more contagious variants emerging and vaccines becoming widely available. My recipe for all Michiganders is to wear a mask, wash your hands, avoid crowds and when it’s your turn, get the vaccine. You must continue to take preventive measures even after being vaccinated, because it takes at least two weeks for full protection of a vaccine to take effect after the last dose, and it will take some time to vaccinate everyone ”.

Ads

Michiganders are being urged by the MHA to commit to proven COVID-19 preventive measures and to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it becomes available amid an increase in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations.

“While much of our health workforce is vaccinated, caring for a third increase in patients with COVID-19 is mentally and physically stressful for all frontline caregivers,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “Failing to follow proven preventive measures is not only dangerous for our health, but it damages our economy and delays when personal activities, such as returning to work, can occur with minimal restrictions. It will take a few more months to vaccinate everyone, so we have to do everything in our power to slow current growth. While you wait for your vaccine to be safe and effective, mask, practice social detachment and wash your hands. “

Ads

Deeper dive: COVID-19 special data section