Health

Pediatric Covid hospitalizations rise in Southeast Michigan and state this week as adult totals fall

January 15, 2022, 11:26 AM by  Alan Stamm

Confirmed and suspected Covid cases among Michigan hospital patients under age 18 climbed since Monday and since mid-December, in contrast to a decline in adult numbers this week.

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Pediatric intensive care unit in Houston, used for illustrative purpose. (Photo: Texas Children's Hospital)

The state health department's latest data shows 140 pediatric patients statewide with coronavirus diagnoses or symptoms as of Friday, up by 32 in four days (a 29.6% increase). Adults hospitalized with confirmed or suspected Covid dropped by 123 this week to 4,778.

In the three-county Detroit area and three adjacent counties, pediatric pandemic cases rose from 76 on Monday to 95 on Friday (a 25% rise). The region's adult Covid patients in hospitals declined by 150 this week to 2,801.

Though the rise among children and adolescents is small numerically, percentages show it's notable.

Pediatric totals regionally and statewide are dramatically higher than four weeks ago on Dec. 15, according to data compiled by Deadline Detroit from Department of Health and Human Services postings three times each week.

Adult hospitalizations for Covid also rose during the past month -- 4.6% statewide, 20% in Southeast Michigan -- though at lower rates than among pediatric patients.

The four-week increases for patients up to age 18 are significant:

  • Statewide: 164% surge from 53 cases Dec. 15 to 140 on Jan. 14

  • Southeast Michigan*: 157% jump from 37 cases to 95 on Friday
    (* Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Monroe, St. Clair counties)

The local region's current pediatric hospitalizations for Covid are about two-thirds of the state total.



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