Avoid emergency rooms unless the situation is life threatening as COVID overwhelms the system

Michigan health officials are urging residents to avoid hospital emergency departments, outside of a life-threatening situation, to help ease pressure on health systems as COVID continues to rise.

COVID-19 Hospitalizations in Michigan are currently at an all time high. Hospital officials have asked residents to take extra precautions against the spread of COVID as capacity shrinks at many local hospitals, including Beaumont and Henry Ford.

Related: 6 takeaways: Henry Ford Health officials say Michigan’s current COVID ‘crisis’ is worse than a year ago

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Michigan’s health systems continue to be overloaded with COVID-19 patients, the majority of whom are unvaccinated. From January 15 to December 3, 85.1% of COVID-19 cases, 88.1% of hospitalizations and 85.5% of deaths were among those who were not fully vaccinated, according to MDHHS data. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 continue to be primarily preventable by receiving one of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.

“We must all do our part to get vaccinated and boost to ensure our safety, that of our families and our neighbors,” said Dr Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS medical director. “In addition to getting the vaccine, it’s important to maintain your routine medical care so that any potential illnesses are detected early and can be much more manageable. We urge the Michiganders to continue seeking medical attention, but avoid emergency services unless they have a life-threatening illness. If you don’t have a primary care provider, now is a great time to find one by contacting your local health system.

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Illnesses can be treated in a variety of health care settings depending on the severity of the symptoms. Michiganders facing life-threatening emergencies should always seek care by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency department.

Related: CDC Approves Schools’ Coronavirus’ Stay Test ‘Policies

Call a health care provider (such as your local doctor’s office) for a virtual or in-person appointment or see an emergency care provider for conditions such as:

• Cold or flu

• sprains

• Minor rashes or burns

• Ear pain

• Animal or insect bites

• Allergies

• A COVID-19 test.

Call 911 or visit an emergency service to:

• Life-threatening medical conditions or emergencies such as a heart attack or stroke

• suffocation

• Head injuries

• Severe burns

• Severe chest pain or pressure

• Broken bones

• Uncontrolled bleeding

• Severe respiratory distress.

If you have minor symptoms like sniffling or coughing, you should get tested for COVID-19. To receive a vaccine against influenza or COVID-19, go to a pharmacy or vaccination clinic or VaccineFinder.org to find a location near you.

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