The Bronson health care system posted an open letter on Sept. 1 that made several misleading claims.
The letter advocates for people to get vaccinated for COVID-19.
Here are the questionable claims made:
Claim #1: “Nationally, approximately 99% of individuals dying from COVID-19 are unvaccinated.”
This statistic relies on data from periods when only a small portion of the population was eligible for a vaccine. More recent statistics suggests that a larger share of COVID-19 patients and deaths are vaccinated individuals. For example, in the state of Michigan, the most recent data on breakthrough cases shows those vaccinated accounted for 23% of cases, 21% of hospitalizations and 18% of deaths from Aug. 1-Aug. 30.
Claim #2: “In fact, it is most alarming that pediatric hospitalizations are on the rise due to the complications of COVID-19 infection. As kids return to school, the most important thing parents can do is get them vaccinated as soon as they’re eligible and urge everyone in your family to mask up in public.”
There has been a large percentage increase in pediatric hospitalizations of patients with a confirmed positive test, the number of cases remains small.
On Aug. 9, there were seven confirmed pediatric cases in Michigan that tested positive for COVID-19. That number increased to 16 as of Sept. 8.
Claim #3: “We are seeing our emergency rooms and hospital beds and intensive care units fill up again with this fourth surge of COVID-19, with more than 1,000 individuals now hospitalized with a preventable virus.”
The statewide hospital bed occupancy rate was 77% as of Sept. 8. None of the 132 hospitals surveyed reported being over capacity.
According to the state, from Sept. 1-7, only 6% of the inpatient beds are being used by patients who tested positive for COVID-19.
Statewide, 2,410 of the 3,038 ICU beds were occupied, or 79%. None of the state’s eight regions reported being over capacity for ICU beds.
As of Sept. 5, the seven-day average for emergency room visits from people arrived with COVID-like symptoms was 1.1%
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.