Henry Ford Health System officials say their COVID hospitalizations are declining

(WXYZ) – Henry Ford Health System officials said Wednesday their number of COVID hospitalizations was down to 499 patients from 551 on Monday.

“This is a very encouraging sign and we certainly hope it will be the start of a trend, but it’s obviously too soon,” said Bob Riney, president of healthcare operations and chief operating officer.

Riney stressed the importance of getting a booster, noting that data indicated more than 90% of people hospitalized with COVID did not receive a booster.

He said another encouraging sign is the declining positivity rate. On Wednesday morning, Riney said the positivity rate was 33% versus the 44% trend in the first part of January.

“The omicron variant is still extremely contagious and widespread throughout the community, so it’s important that we remain incredibly vigilant,” Riney said.

He added that “we will take these trends as a sign of hope and a sign of optimism.

Riney said 77 beds are temporarily closed due to staffing issues. There are also 473 team members who are off work due to COVID, up from 593 a week ago.

“Our team members continue to do an incredible job,” Riney said.

Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Eric Wallis cited data that shows demands for nurses have increased by up to 245% during the pandemic. He said nurses are leaving the profession at a record rate.

Wallis said in the Henry Ford Health System, there are currently 1,000 vacancies for registered nurses.

“We have engaged in a number of short-term and long-term strategies to address this issue,” Wallis said.

Wallis said they are recruiting nurses from the Philippines and said they could join the team as early as this summer.

They say they are encouraged by nursing enrollment rates and are also exploring new ways to attract and retain nurses.

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