Shiawassee Times

Rep. Ben Frederick (R-Owosso) is asking Michigan's Chief Medical Executive, Dr. Joneigh S. Khaldun, in a formal letter for more information on the current state of COVID-19 in Michigan.

“The situation we are in is unprecedented, and the more data the Legislature has to make informed decisions to improve conditions for our hardworking medical personnel, the better,” Frederick said on the Michigan House Republicans website. “We will get through this season if we work together, and I am urging the administration to release more detailed information related to coronavirus in our state. While the data presently available to the public regarding confirmed cases and mortality rates is valuable, it doesn’t allow for a full picture of health care capacity and need.”

Frederick represents Shiawassee County and the Southwestern portion of Saginaw County. The area’s largest city is Owosso, with a population of 14,000.

Frederick’s letter is requesting information he said will help officials better inform the public and give the State Legislature a better ability to assist with legislative, budgetary and facilitative actions.

The information requested includes bed capacity at hospitals, up-to-date numbers of COVID-19 cases, average hospital stay lengths, age and health conditions of people prior to being stricken with the virus, numbers of ventilators in hospitals and stocks of protective equipment.

Frederick said the Legislature has approved a total of $150 million for COVID-19 response.

“It includes $50 million for immediate needs, such as virus monitoring and testing, $50 million for critical health care providers to expand capacity for coronavirus response, and $50 million to keep in reserve for when necessary,” he noted on Michigan House Republicans.

Frederick added that COVID-19 cases are still rising, causing a sharp redirection in resources and a heavy strain on Michigan’s health care providers. He emphasized in his letter that he is requesting timely and region-specific data so that resources can flow where they are most needed.