This story appeared in WWMT News. Read more here.
Physicians and nurses from 21 health systems across the state, which included a few in West Michigan, warned about a fourth surge in cases and pleaded to the public to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
In the open letter posted on Sept. 1, chief medical officers and nurses warned there is now a sense of urgency as the state, and even the nation, could face another wave of cases during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over 1,000 beds are filled with patients battling the deadly virus, the letter said.
Part of the letter said the following:
“Our healthcare workers who have been on the front lines of this pandemic for 18 months are disheartened and frustrated to see so many unvaccinated individuals admitted to our hospitals and dying from serious complications of covid-19 infection. This is a preventable tragedy. We are concerned about the health and safety of our vulnerable populations including the elderly, those with co-existing medical conditions, our children who are not yet vaccinated and the frontline healthcare workers.”
The letter continued saying 99% of people dying from COVID-19 were unvaccinated. The Pfizer vaccine gained full Food and Drug Administration approval on Aug. 23.
As of Thursday, nearly every county in the state of Michigan sat in the high community transmission rate, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Bronson Healthcare signed that letter urging vaccines. On Wednesday, it announced a vaccine mandate for anyone working in its facilities.
The deadline to get the vaccine is Dec. 1.
According to Bronson, 76% of its workforce was already vaccinated. You can read the full letter and see who signed off on Bronson’s website.