Port Huron, MI — Michigan residents are urged not to delay emergency care. Data shows that emergency care decreased significantly in the height of the COVID-19 stay-at-home time period, between March 15 to May 23.
People suffering from cardiac arrests stayed home 43.3% more during the ten-week period, while deaths at home increased a staggering 62% compared to the same time period in 2019.
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services chief medical executive and chief deputy for health, said, “It is incredibly important that people not delay care, especially if they are having concerning symptoms like chest pain, difficulty breathing or dizziness. Hospitals and EMS providers are working hard to keep patients safe, so please contact them if you are having a medical emergency.”
Michigan follows the national pattern with emergency department visits down 42% nationwide during the March 15 to May 23 time period. A Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that nearly half of all Americans postponed both routine and emergency medical care due to COVID-19 fears.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
