ERMC impacted by rising COVID-19 case numbers

Front exterior of hospital

Eaton Rapids Medical Center (ERMC) is struggling to keep up with the increasing severity of the Coronavirus pandemic. As COVID-19 case numbers continue to climb in Eaton County and the surrounding areas, ERMC, along with local Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) agencies, are concerned that members of the community may not have a full understanding of the strain being placed upon them, and just how close they are to being overwhelmed.

Along with the record-breaking number of positive cases in the community the hospital is facing critical staffing shortages, an extreme decline in patient volumes as patients fear seeking care during the pandemic, and severe difficulty transferring acute COVID patients to facilities able to provide more intensive care. In addition to the issues the hospital faces within its walls, there are also a substantial number of individuals in the community who do not believe this crisis exists and are refusing to participate in public safety directives, such as a wearing a mask or avoiding social gatherings.

The staff at ERMC have made it clear they want to be here for their community during this unprecedented time; but as challenges continue to arise and the severity of the situation increases, the community hospital will soon run low on resources, beds, and staff. For this reason, Eaton Rapids Medical Center’s nurses, doctors, and leaders are calling on everyone in their community to do what they can in their personal lives to keep one another safe and prevent the hospital from becoming overwhelmed.

The staff and leaders of Eaton Rapids Medical Center are doing their best to address pandemic-related challenges by collaborating and keeping in close communication with local MDHHS agencies including the Hamlin Township Fire Department, Eaton County Emergency Management, the Barry-Eaton District Health Department, and the Eaton Rapids Police Department. ERMC has asked leaders and specialists from the organizations listed above to provide members of the public with insight into what they view as the most critical, timely concerns facing our community today.

In the weeks to come Eaton Rapids Medical Center will be sharing perspectives from these professionals about the state of the pandemic and how it is affecting their work, their lives, and the health of their local populations. Readers can expect a weekly column with input from a variety of specialists in a multitude of fields, all of whom have been impacted by this crisis.

For more information on ERMC, the services they provide, or the measures they are taking to keep their facility safe during this time please visit eatonrapidsmedicalcenter.org.

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