The state of Michigan now has more than 17,000 cases of COVID-19. But there's not enough personal protective equipment to last through the week at several hospitals in Southeast Michigan.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer says the state is dangerously low on equipment to protect healthcare workers.
“At Beaumont hospital we have less than three days until N95 masks run out," she said. "At Henry Ford Health System we have less than 4 days, and at the Detroit Medical Center less than 10 days.”
Whitmer says the state has been racing to cobble together more supplies by working with other states, buying supplies from Ford, and requesting more from the federal government.
Federal and state officials are predicting different timing for when Michigan could reach a peak in COVID-19 infections.
The White House referenced models on Sunday predicting cases in Michigan would peak within a week. But Michigan’s chief medical executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun says the governor is relying on a local model that’s more precise.
“Our model is looking at Michigan-specific data. We’re working with the University of Michigan. Our model is getting more and more accurate we believe," Khaldun said. "But, again, anyone, who says they know the specific date where it's going to peak, I just don’t believe that's true at this point.”
Gov. Whitmer said Monday that the state still doesn’t have enough testing for accurate models. But she believes the Michigan peak will happen in late April or early May.
Want to support reporting like this? Consider making a gift to Michigan Radio today.
