Millions Spent; Two Spillover COVID-19 Facilities: 5 Current Patients

The two facilities set up to handle an anticipated overflow of COVID-19 patients in Michigan are currently treating a total of five coronavirus patients, at last report.

The 1,220 bed TCF Regional Care Center in downtown Detroit treated 39 COVID-19 patients during its three weeks of operation, according to Michigan Radio. The last coronavirus patient at that facility was discharged on Wednesday.

The TCF facility was set up at a cost of $9.4 million to handle an expected overflow of coronavirus patients, Michigan Radio reported.

The cost to convert the other alternate facility, the 250-bed Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, has not been reported yet.

WXYZ reported that there were five COVID-19 patients as of May 6 being treated at the Suburban Collection Showplace.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the state paid nearly $8.2 million each for six-month leases for both alternate facilities.

A statewide survey of 45 Michigan hospitals reported 62% bed occupancy as of May 4, with 29 of the surveyed hospitals reporting less than half their beds were in use. The survey was compiled by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association for the state.