State Rep. Ben Frederick has issued a formal letter to Michigan Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh S. Khaldun requesting necessary information relevant to the state of coronavirus in Michigan.

“The situation we are in is unprecedented and the more data the Legislature has to make informed decisions to improve conditions for our hardworking medical personnel the better,” said Frederick, of Owosso. “We will get through this season if we work together and I am urging the administration to release more detailed information related to coronavirus in our state.  While the data presently available to the public regarding confirmed cases and mortality rates is valuable, it doesn’t allow for a full picture of healthcare capacity and need.”

Frederick’s letter requests the following information be available to better inform the public, and to afford the Legislature the ability to assist as necessary with legislative, budgetary and facilitative actions:

• Bed capacity and availability numbers by hospital
• Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 by hospital
• Average length of stay for a COVID-19-patients in hospitals
• Aggregate data on the age and health conditions of patients prior to contracting COVID-19
• Number of medical ventilators by hospital
• General information related to personal protective equipment supplies by hospital

To date, the Legislature has approved a total of $150 million for COVID-19 response, including $50 million for immediate needs such as virus monitoring and testing, $50 million for critical health care providers to expand capacity for coronavirus response, and $50 million to keep in reserve for when necessary.

COVID-19 cases have reached nearly 11,000 as of April 3, causing a dramatic shift in resources and creating a significant strain on Michigan’s healthcare providers. Frederick emphasized within his letter that timely and region-specific data is critical in ensuring resources flow to where they are most needed.

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