Beaumont Health announces first death of a patient with COVID-19

A Beaumont Health patient, a male in his 50’s who tested positive for COVID-19 and had other underlying medical conditions, passed away early this morning at a Beaumont Hospital in Wayne County.
“Our medical team went to extraordinary efforts to care for this patient and we are deeply saddened by his passing and empathize with his family,” Beaumont Health Chief Nursing Officer Susan Grant said. “Our physicians, nurses and medical staff are all working together to care for COVID-19 patients. During a time like this, we are united to battle this virus. Further, we must continue to serve and care for the non-COVID-19 needs of all patients whether they are giving birth, needing essential surgery or requiring lifesaving emergency procedures.”
Beaumont Health has intentionally built a large scale COVID-19 screening and testing operation which includes:
• Coronavirus testing is being processed on site by Beaumont staff on a limited basis
o On Tuesday, March 17, Beaumont processed approximately 500 tests
o Since Thursday, March 12, Beaumont has also sent 1100 other tests to the State and other national labs for testing
o Note: not everyone who has COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) needs to be tested. Beaumont recommends talking with a physician or nurse on the phone prior to seeking testing. If a patient is experiencing life-threatening symptoms, dial 911 or go to your nearest emergency center.
• Curbside screening is available at all eight Beaumont hospitals
o Beaumont staff screened about 1500 patients across the health system yesterday, March 17
• Beaumont’s Coronavirus hotline, 800-592-4784, is staffed by Beaumont nurses and staff members.
o Nurses and staff members are answering approximately 5,000 calls a day
• Visitor safety restrictions are in place at all Beaumont hospitals.
• Some not immediately essential surgeries have been put on pause indefinitely
• Non-essential services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language, cardiac rehab, pulmonary rehab have been put on pause indefinitely
The main Beaumont command center is helping the entire Beaumont team coordinate, share resources and communicate across Michigan’s largest healthcare system.
State and federal health agencies and lawmakers are also working with Beaumont leaders to help contain the virus and enable health systems to care for patients who become seriously ill
Protecting our staff by providing them with and educating them about personal protective equipment (PPE) and appropriate infection control procedures and collaboration with other health systems is occurring in Michigan and across the nation every day.