Michigan health officials are urging residents to avoid the emergency department at hospitals, outside of a life-threatening situation, to help alleviate pressure on health care systems as COVID continues to surge. That includes needing a COVID-19 test.

Michigan health officials are urging residents to avoid the emergency department at hospitals, outside of a life-threatening situation, to help alleviate pressure on health care systems as COVID continues to surge.

The number of patients in Michigan hospitals for COVID-19 has surpassed the spring wave and has reached a new record high, according to new data.

Debunking 4 coronavirus claims spread on social mediaHospitals are counting all deaths as COVID-19 relatedThis is false. FactCheck.org says there’s no evidence that any state has adopted a policy to classify all deaths, regardless of the individual circumstances, as being related to COVID-19. “If COVID–19 played a role in the death, this condition should be specified on the death certificate. Share it with the Trust Index team for reviewYES: States, countries are revising death tollsSome states and countries have added deaths as COVID-19 related after deciding the victim was “suspected” of having COVID-19. We are focused on ensuring that every New Yorker who died because of COVID-19 gets counted," said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot.