Here’s our weekly round-up of what illnesses are spreading the most in Metro Detroit communities, according to our local doctors and hospitals.
Wayne County – COVID, RSV, COPD flare-ups
Dr. Kevin Dazy -- Pediatrician, Children’s Hospital of Michigan
“We are seeing some COVID, that’s for sure. It’s out there. Thankfully, we aren’t seeing a large number of hospitalizations. We aren’t seeing a run on anything super serious right now, which will change when we get back to school.”
Dr. Jon Lovy -- Internal Medicine Physician, Corewell Health Trenton Hospital
“Luckily, most of the increase in hospitalizations from COVID are due to reasons where COVID is picked up incidentally, and mostly presenting with mild symptoms, very rarely leading to low oxygen or the need for intensive care monitoring. The bigger risk that I’m seeing now is RSV, which seems to be currently affecting patients much more severely, especially in those who have asthma, COPD or any kind of lung disease. Similarly, influenza was much more dangerous last winter than COVID. Which is why vaccination for influenza and RSV, especially among those at high risk, is so important. On the non-infectious disease front, we are seeing a recent increase in admissions for COPD and congestive heart failure exacerbations and flare-ups. It’s crucial for patients to work with their primary care doctors to ensure all preventative strategies and medications are in place.”
Oakland County – COVID, strep throat, rashes, poison ivy, COPD flare-ups, stomach viruses
Dr. Justin Skrzynski -- Internal medicine physician, Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak
“Fortunately, we’ve been seeing lower numbers of patients admitted to the hospital, which is typical for the summer months. We still have the usual culprit diseases and infections, though, specifically flares of chronic diseases that we see on a regular basis, like coronary disease, heart failure and COPD. We also had a little bump in COVID numbers, but overall, nothing severe and mostly incidental cases where they’re here for something else. Fortunately, the flu has been quiet for now at least. Staying up to date on checkups and vaccinations will help ensure a healthy and enjoyable rest of the summer.”
Dr. Rena Daiz -- Primary Care Physician, Henry Ford Medical Center Bloomfield Twp.
“This week we continue to see COVID and strep throat cases. People are also being treated for a lot of rashes including poison ivy. You can avoid poison ivy by staying away from it along with poison oak, and poison sumac in all seasons, wearing protective clothing, cleaning contaminated objects, and applying a barrier cream.”
Emergency Department, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
“We are seeing people with abdominal pain, hip pain, and chest pain.”
Washtenaw County – COVID, stomach viruses, mental health concerns
Dr. Marisa Louie -- Medical Director of Children’s Emergency Services, Michigan Medicine
“We have been seeing a little bump in COVID cases although nothing that is resulting in severe illness. We are also starting to see more patients with mental health concerns that is likely linked to back to school stresses.”
Dr. Brad Uren -- Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Michigan Medicine
“We are still seeing a fair amount of COVID. Much of it is mild. Also seeing a slight increase in GI illnesses.”
Monroe County – Did not report this week
Macomb County – Respiratory viruses, COVID, seasonal allergies
Dr. Maria Samuel -- Primary Care Physician, Henry Ford Medical Center Sterling Heights
“Patients have come in with viral respiratory infections and COVID. Allergy flare-ups are also on the rise.”
Livingston County -- Stomach viruses, seasonal allergies
Emergency Department, Trinity Health Livingston
“We have been seeing an uptick in viral GI complaints.”