COVID-19 hospitalizations up almost 50 percent in Michigan in past two weeks

COVID-19 hospitalizations in Michigan have increased by almost 50 percent over the past two weeks, as the Wolverine State faces a surge in infections.

Coronavirus hospitalizations in Michigan are up 46 percent over the past two weeks, according to The New York Times, making it the state with the second-highest spike in hospitalizations. The only state ahead of Michigan is New Hampshire, which has seen a 58 percent increase in hospitalizations.

Michigan now has the second-highest per capita rate of hospitalizations, just trailing North Dakota, the Times reported.

COVID-19 infections in Michigan are up 78 percent over the past two weeks, according to the Times.

Michigan’s seven-day average of new reported cases is now higher than it was during the winter 2020 and spring 2021 surge in infections, according to data collected by the Times. On Sunday, the state’s seven-day average was 8,780.

State officials are reacting to the spike in numbers by implementing COVID-19 mitigation measures in an attempt to tamp down on the surge.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a new mask advisory on Friday, which requires that anyone older than two years old wear a face covering at indoor gatherings, regardless of their vaccination status. The new guidance comes ahead of the holiday season, when many families will likely gather indoors to celebrate.

MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said the increase in cases, percent positivity and hospitalization has made the state “very concerned.” She urged residents who have not yet been vaccinated to go out and get their jabs.

“We are issuing the face mask advisory and are looking to Michiganders to do their part to help protect their friends, their families and their communities by wearing a mask in indoor settings and getting vaccinated for COVID-19 and flu as soon as possible if they have not already done so,” Hertel added in a statement.

Just over 70 percent of Michigan residents ages 16 and older are at least partially vaccinated, according to the state’s COVID-19 vaccine dashboard.