© 2024 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

War Memorial Hospital Officials See Leveling In COVID Cases - Hope It Holds After Holiday

Courtesy
/
War Memorial Hospital | Facebook

War Memorial Hospital in the Upper Peninsula has seen its COVID-19 cases decline in the last week.

Officials are still waiting to see how Holiday gatherings might impact them.

One week ago the War Memorial Hospital reported it was at 92% capacity. Now, the hospital is at 76%.

CEO David Jahn said the hospital has seen six patients die of the virus. He said he worries about staff burnout.

“They’re living it 24/7. When they get done with their 12-hour shift and then they go home and worry they could be bringing it home to their family,” he said. “You’re basically living COVID 24/7 and there’s no relief.”

Jahn said some 44 staff have come down with the disease this year.

“I think a lot of times doctors and nurses feel helpless because they just can’t do anything for the patient,” he said. “They just watch them die because their lungs no longer function.”

Across Michigan, hospitalizations are slowing or decreasing, according to a new report from the state health department.

“Right now I think there’s a little bit of a lull,” Jahn said. “And you could say, depending on your political purview, it’s just luck or the Governor shut us down two weeks ago today and we’re starting to see that impact.”

Jahn said he hopes that the numbers continue to flatten.

Epidemiologists say they will see early indicators of holiday travel by the end of the week.

Related Content
Journalism at this station is made possible by donors who value local reporting. Donate today to keep stories like this one coming. It is thanks to your generosity that we can keep this content free and accessible for everyone. Thanks!