Growing COVID hospitalizations a major concern.

At Henry Ford Health Systems, earlier in the week they surpassed the peak COVID-19 numbers they saw in the October and November surge.

They are not alone. The newest surge continues across the state of Michigan with a nation-leading 469.4 cases per 100,000 on a seven day average, per the CDC.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has made no indication that she will impose restrictions on the state once again as the numbers have continued to climb. The biggest difference with this surge is that there is a vaccine.

Restaurants are still at 50% capacity and a new testing program has been instituted for high school athletes.

“We’re not going to get into the policy approach for the state, but what I will say is our appeal — whether it comes in the form of policy or behavior change — is we have to stop the surge by stopping the obvious areas where the virus is spreading,’’ said Bob Riney, president of healthcare operations and chief operating officer for Henry Ford Health Systems on Thursday.

“I ideally would like to see that we have a state of great people that will recognize this and step up to doing the right thing. The governor would have to decide if there are policy needs beyond that,’’ Riney said.

Across the Henry Ford system, hospital bed capacity is at 92%.

“In ICU our volume has doubled over the past week and is similar to what we’re hearing from our colleagues specifically in Southeast Michigan,’’ said Dr. Adnan

Munkarah, executive vice president and chief clinical officer for Henry Ford.

Their percent positivity rate is 19% up from 4-5% just six weeks ago.

“I think we are really at a very critical junction. After enduring the first two surges and the gains we made to bring down hospitalizations the past couple of months, none of us expected what we are seeing today,’’ Riney said.

It should be a concern to everyone in Michigan, not just at hospitals, according to Riney.

“We know people are fatigued, but people’s non-compliance with the safety measures that have protected us for months now are giving this virus new life and are causing a surge of hospitalizations and cases,’’ Riney said.

Munkarah said there are reasons for the surge including the increase in the B.1.1.7 variant, which is highly transmissible, and the spread of the virus through high school sports and the activities that surround them.

“We know there are certain things that can help us. Testing, there is plenty of available testing now,’’ Munkarah said. “If people get tested and we know who is infected and who is not, it helps in containing the virus. People are resisting being tested … it’s not clear to us what’s the concern about that.’’

Also each person can do his part by getting vaccinated and using safety measures.

“We have data to show that wearing masks, washing hands, social distancing, do work in affecting the spread of the virus,’’ Munkarah said. “To Bob’s point we don’t want to get into the policy but we know there are measures that can help us get this under control.’’