May 20: DAILY COVID-19 UPDATE

NEW TODAY: Here’s the latest information about Michigan Medicine’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic:

• DAILY PATIENT STATS
• DAILY TEAM MEMBER TESTING STATS
• MASK/FACE COVERING USAGE FOR EMPLOYEES IN ENCLOSED AND PUBLIC SPACES
• MASK USE FOR PATIENTS, FAMILIES AND VISITORS
• RICU RAMP DOWN
• NO PPE TRAINING IN TOWSLEY LOBBY ON MEMORIAL DAY
• VIRTUAL TOWN HALL SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, MAY 22

DAILY PATIENT STATS

Today’s census for COVID-19 inpatients and those patients under investigation (PUI) are noted below: 

Discharges: 506 total COVID-19 discharges to date, 8 in the last 24 hours. These numbers include patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities but excludes deaths and discharges to hospice. 

DAILY TEAM MEMBER TESTING STATS*

* Data from 3/10 through 5/19. The testing stats reflect just Michigan Medicine employees, not all University of Michigan employees. It also reflects only those who sought testing at or were hospitalized at Michigan Medicine or reported their testing to Occupational Health Services. Some Michigan Medicine employees may have been tested outside our system.

MASK/FACE COVERING USAGE FOR EMPLOYEES IN ENCLOSED AND PUBLIC SPACES

In alignment with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order and guidance from the CDC, any individual able to medically tolerate one must wear a covering over his or her nose and mouth — such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana or handkerchief — when in any enclosed public space.

All employees must wear face coverings on university buses and shuttles, medical campus parking structure elevators, elevators in non-clinical buildings, hospital cafeterias, and any other enclosed public areas. Thank you for your cooperation.

MASK USE FOR PATIENTS, FAMILIES AND VISITORS

When patients in Michigan Medicine facilities are outside of their rooms, including during transport, a mask should be worn by those who can tolerate one, with the exception of children under the age of two. While in their rooms or in ancillary areas receiving care, patients are not required to wear a mask, although their health care providers are.

Family members and visitors are required to wear a mask in a patient room when in the presence of health care workers.

Finally, patients, families and visitors are permitted to go outside into the courtyard, as long as social distancing of six feet can be maintained. In an outdoor setting with safe distances between people, masks are recommended but not required. 

Click on the links below for more information on universal mask usage:

Guidance for clinical buildings
Guidance for non-clinical buildings
Universal mask FAQ
How to wear a medical mask safely

RICU RAMP DOWN

As Michigan Medicine’s volume of COVID-19 patients has fallen to a daily census below 50, from a peak of 229 in mid-April, the Regional Infectious Containment Unit (RICU) created in March to care for these patients will be ramped down in the coming weeks. This unit will likely transition to caring for non COVID-19 patients in mid-June.

Although the COVID-19 census continues to decline, the hospital will be developing a plan to respond to a COVID-19 resurgence, in the event that the state experiences increased cases as the economy and business begin to reopen. A resurgence team will be convened with a clear reporting structure to ensure Michigan Medicine is prepared for another peak in the pandemic.  

Thank you to all faculty and staff who worked so hard to make the RICU a success over the past two months. You all played an integral role in keeping patients and the community safe during a challenging time.

NO PPE TRAINING IN TOWSLEY LOBBY ON MEMORIAL DAY

In observation of Memorial Day, no Special Pathogens PPE training will take place on Memorial Day (Monday, May 25). For the remainder of May, training sessions will be held in the Towsley Lobby from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday only.

VIRTUAL TOWN HALL ON FRIDAY, 5/22

Michigan Medicine leaders will host a virtual Town Hall on Friday, May 22, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. to discuss updates on the economic recovery plan, operational ramp-up, and wellness. To submit a question in advance, send an email to coronavirus-info@med.umich.edu with Subject: TOWN HALL QUESTION.

Click the link below to join the meeting on Friday: 

https://umich-health.zoom.us/j/92478265278?pwd=SGVvMk1NeHZISlUyRlVZNUFxWkNldz09

Password: 657670

Or iPhone one-tap: 

    US: +13017158592,,92478265278#  

Or Telephone:

    Dial:+1 301 715 8592  

    Webinar ID: 924 7826 5278

Still have questions?

We are also posting all bulletins and policies on Michigan Medicine Headlines at https://mmheadlines.org/covid-19-updates/.  Please bookmark that site and refer to it throughout the day for the most up-to-date information. An FAQ for staff is also posted and updated frequently.

If you still can’t find what you’re looking for on these web pages, please email coronavirus-info@med.umich.edu and your question will be answered as quickly as possible.  Do not use this email for sharing patient health information.

Jeffrey Desmond, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer