Lansing Sun

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s request for additional staffing assistance at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing has been granted by the federal government, according to a release from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

A federal medical team of up to 25 people will support the hospital’s doctors and nurses as they treat an onslaught of COVID-19 and other patients.

Whitmer thanked federal partners for providing critical relief. To ease the burden, Whitmer urged Michigan residents to get vaccinated and boosted, stay home when sick, sign up for free COVID-19 tests, and to get free, high quality masks from local pharmacies.

"We are grateful for this assistance for our incredible Sparrow caregivers, who have been tirelessly protecting the community since this pandemic began," Sparrow Health System President and CEO James Dover said in the release. "We want to thank Gov. Whitmer and the state for its help and especially Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, who has been steadfast in advocating for boots-on-the-ground support for Sparrow in combating the huge surge of COVID cases among both patients and our caregivers."

According to the release, the team will begin treating patients Fed. 7 and will provide support for the following 30 days. Five additional Department of Defense teams have provided support at hospitals across the state, including Beaumont Hospital - Dearborn, Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw, Mercy Health Muskegon and Henry Ford Hospital in Wyandotte.

An additional civilian Disaster Medical Assistance Team was dispatched to the Henry Ford Hospital in Wyandotte earlier this month before being backfilled.

Michigan HHS Director Elizabeth Hertel underscored the call for residents to do their part in supporting health care workers, emphasizing the need for vaccinations, boosters, masks, social distancing, staying home and regular testing.

Officials also reminded residents to consider where they seek health care. A primary care office, virtual visit or urgent care may be the best options, as hospital and emergency departments experience high demand, the release states. Although emergency care should be sought for emergency symptoms.