Michigan sees ‘alarming increase’ in COVID-19 hospitalizations among unvaccinated adults

Michigan is seeing an “alarming increase” in hospitalizations among young adults who are less likely to be vaccinated, according to inpatient data collected by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.

In the past three weeks, the number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations has more than doubled, from around 824 on March 1 from 1,687 reported on Tuesday, March 23. Currently, 356 coronavirus patients are in intensive care, a 58% increase from 225 in ICUs on March 1.

The increases are attributable to young adults: Since March 1, hospitalizations have increased by 633% for adults aged 30 to 39 and by 800% for adults aged 40 to 49, according to the MHA.

Meanwhile, hospitalizations for people 80 and older are up 37%. About 44% of people in this age group are fully vaccinated and more than two-thirds have received at least one dose.

“The correlation between high vaccination rates and lower hospitalization growth rates shows the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine and how it protects against the risk of serious illness or hospitalization,” says a press release from the MHA.

The data also indicates that while older adults are still at a higher risk of hospitalization, the percentage of hospitalized patients under the age of 40 has doubled, showing that adults of all ages are vulnerable to complications from the disease, according to the press release. .

“Michigan is making progress in finally defeating the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing vaccination rates, but the war is not yet over,” said Dr. Gary Roth, chief medical officer of the MHA. “Now is not the time to let our guard down and risk contracting COVID-19 with more contagious variants emerging and vaccines becoming widely available.

“My prescription to all Michiganders is to wear your mask, wash your hands, avoid the crowds and when it’s your turn, get your shot. You should continue to take preventative measures even after you have been vaccinated, as it takes at least two weeks for a vaccine to take full protection after the last dose, and it will take time to vaccinate everyone. “

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