COVID-19 hospitalizations exceed December peak in US Michigan

CHICAGO - The number of adults hospitalized in US state of Michigan with COVID-19 reached 3,918 on Monday, surpassing the reported peak during the surge of the virus in December.

The peak number of adults hospitalized with confirmed cases of COVID-19 was 3,884 on Dec 1, 2020, The Detroit News reported on Monday, citing the tracking by the state's Department of Health and Human Services.

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have been climbing in Michigan for seven weeks, and the state continues to lead the nation in new infections per population over the last seven days, according to tracking by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Multiple hospitals in the state reported that they were operating at full capacity or near full capacity.

Last week, Michigan reported 45,817 new COVID-19 cases, a 19-week high, and a positivity rate of 16.4 percent, the highest weekly rate since last spring.

During the previous surge, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer suspended indoor dining at restaurants, in-person high school classes and other businesses. Whitmer again ordered a two-week pause in these areas on Friday.