CDC director in Detroit: ‘COVID is still causing the most number of hospitalizations’ in Michigan

During a visit to Detroit on Thursday, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Mandy Cohen encouraged Michiganders to be vaccinated for COVID-19 as well as a flu shot as Americans celebrate the holiday season and the winter months approach. 

Cohen said over the course of the several days that there have been about 800 Michigan residents in the hospital due to COVID-19. She made the comment during a press availability session at the Detroit Healthy Housing Center located on the city’s lower east side. Cohen is also concerned about the number of RSV cases. It is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.

“COVID is still causing the most number of hospitalizations,” Cohen said.

Cohen, a Biden administration-appointed official, has led the CDC since July 2023. She was joined by Denise Fair Razo, city of Detroit chief public health officer, and Linda Little, Neighborhood Services Organization (NSO) president and CEO. 

“As we get deeper into December and the holiday season we know that we are going to see more viruses and more bacteria circulating, particularly as we gather for holiday parties, travel for Christmas, we know that we are going to see more of that,” Cohen said.  

She praised NSO for housing and mental care services that it provides city residents. NSO operates the Detroit Healthy Housing Center. The facility provides emergency shelter to 56 adults and 17 beds for homeless individuals to receive continuing care post-hospitalization. The center also operates a vaccine clinic. 

“We want to make sure that we are using all the tools that we know work to protect each other this holiday season,” Cohen said.