Metro Detroit Sees Jump in Whooping Cough and COVID Cases

Local hospitals report a surge in whooping cough and rising COVID numbers this week. The outbreak affects multiple counties, putting infants at risk.

"We're ... seeing the number of patients with whooping cough, or pertussis, which is preventable by vaccination, way up," said Dr. Kelly Levasseur, Medical Director of Pediatric Emergency at Children's Hospital of Michigan. "The worst is the infants younger than two months who don't yet qualify for the vaccine who get pertussis; they can end up intubated because they just can't breathe."

COVID infections have spiked in Oakland and Macomb areas. "We're seeing a rise in COVID infections," said Dr. Rena Daiza of Henry Ford Medical Center Bloomfield Township, according to Click on Detroit.

Strep throat spreads through Wayne County schools. Medical centers now handle a mix of viral sickness, colds, and flu. Back-to-school time has sparked more transmission.

Medical staff stress protection through vaccines. Kids need five DTaP shots between ages 2 months and 6 years to fight pertussis. Moms-to-be should get TDaP shots early in their last three months to shield their babies.

Bad air adds to Oakland County's health troubles. "Respiratory infections, including COVID-19, are also on the rise, likely influenced by poor air quality," said Dr. Jim Getzinger of Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital.

Washtenaw medical centers report widespread croup and chest infections. "We're still seeing a lot of upper respiratory infections this week. COVID is also fairly prevalent," said Dr. Brad Uren of Michigan Medicine.

Monroe County tracks more virus cases and strep throat. ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital pushes simple steps: clean hands, no shared drinks, covered coughs.

In Macomb, doctors treat both virus cases and sports wounds. "There continues to be a rise in the occurrence of mostly school-aged children being treated for viral infections, with symptoms of congestion, cough, and runny nose, with some patients diagnosed with strep throat," said Dr. Matthew Steck of McLaren Macomb. The mix of ailments keeps medical staff busy.

Stay home when ill, get shots, wear masks where needed: that's what health experts say. Test for COVID when signs show up. Wait a full day after fever breaks before going out.