MICHAEL TSIMIS

“We’re in a critical stage right now. We are surging. We’re leading the nation in terms of cases. We are trailing in terms of vaccinations, and we have omicron here.”

The state reached a pandemic record this week in the number of hospitalized patients with confirmed cases of COVID-19. About 22% of beds are filled with COVID-19 patients. This is not just in COVID-19 patients. State officials are working with federal authorities to identify staffing resources to continue to support Michigan medical centers. This is so hospital workers can maintain a standard of care, of caring and empathy, for COVID patients and also the broader population.

“We’re in a critical stage right now. We are surging. We’re leading the nation in terms of cases. We are trailing in terms of vaccinations, and we have omicron here.”

Michigan state public health leaders and doctors plan to provide an update on current COVID-19 metrics Friday as they urge residents to protect themselves from COVID and other respiratory illnesses.

Though information to the contrary persists, doctors say there is no evidence linking COVID-19 vaccines to infertility, in men or women. An Indiana University survey conducted in June found about 25% of nearly 700 participants believed it was definitely or probably true that vaccines affect fertility. Rapper and singer Nicki Minaj got worldwide attention in recent weeks for tweeting about her cousins’ friend, impotent since immunization. However, if pregnant women become sick with COVID-19, they are at a greater risk of death, preterm labor and ICU admission, doctors say. “When we have a pregnant mom who has developed COVID, the concern for her to get worse is heightened,” Tsimis said.