COVID daily update: Lansing-area hospitals approach capacity as cases increase

LANSING – The spread of COVID-19 is straining hospitals. Sparrow Hospital in Lansing is at 82% of bed capacity. McLaren Greater Lansing is at 96%.

Statewide, Michigan hospitals are at 74% bed capacity with 4,275 people hospitalized with COVID-19. Of those, 848 were in intensive care, according to the most recent figures from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. 

In Greater Lansing, the hospital systems reported 164 people in the hospital with 20 of those patients in intensive care, according to the state health department.

If COVID isn’t brought under control, the huge surges will eventually strain health services, Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail said Tuesday.

“Ultimately what we will see is hospitalizations and deaths,” Vail said.

In Greater Lansing, 14,895 people have tested positive for coronavirus and 182 died from the virus, according to the state. Since March, 366,242 people across Michigan tested positive for the virus and 9,324 have died.

Patient count, capacity varies across Greater Lansing

Here's how hospitalizations and capacity look across Greater Lansing, according to the most recent patient census released by Department of Health and Human Services:

• Sparrow, in Lansing, reported 105 COVID patients with 14 in ICU. The hospital reported being at 82% of bed capacity.
• McLaren Greater Lansing reported 47 COVID patients with 6 in ICU. The hospital reported being at 96% of bed capacity.
• The Eaton Rapids Medical Center reported 4 COVID patients with none in ICU. The hospital is at 30% of bed capacity.
• Sparrow Clinton in St. Johns reported two COVID patients with none in ICU. The hospital is at 59% capacity.
• Sparrow Eaton in Charlotte reported two COVID patients with none in ICU. The hospital is at 20% capacity.
• Sparrow Carson City reported three COVID patients with none in ICU. The hospital is at 75% capacity.
• Sparrow Ionia reported two COVID patients with non in ICU. The hospital is at 67% capacity.

More:Lansing-area hospitals 'concerned' as COVID-19 cases surge in rural areas

Eight more people die from COVID-19

Ingham County reported six more people died from the virus and Eaton County reported two additional deaths Tuesday, according to MDHHS. Clinton County reported no new deaths.

Since March, 115 people in Ingham County, 44 in Eaton County and 23 in Clinton County have died from COVID-19.

357 more Greater Lansing residents test positive 

On Tuesday, state officials reported 5,793 more people across the state tested positive for the coronavirus and 190 more Michiganders died from COVID-19.

More:You asked and we answered these questions you had about COVID-19 testing and restrictions

Locally, 357 more people tested positive for the coronavirus: 

• 84 more Clinton County residents tested positive for a total of 2,667 cases.
• 74 more people in Eaton County tested positive, for a total 3,079 cases
• 199 more Ingham County residents tested positive, for a total of 9,149 cases

Contact reporter Craig Lyons at 517-377-1047 or calyons@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @craigalyons.