Here's When Experts Say Omicron Variant Surge Will Peak In MI

MICHIGAN — In the midst of Michigan's fourth COVID-19 surge that has pushed record daily averages and hospitalizations, state health officials said its peak, mainly due to the omicron variant, will come in late January or early February.

State health officials, including Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Elizabeth Hertel and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian shared modeling data during a Tuesday news conference that showed Michigan's COVID-19 hospitalizations could peak in the coming weeks at around 8,000.

Although COVID-19 cases are expected from the delta variant, Hertel said the surge in cases and hospitalizations are mainly driven by unvaccinated people and the omicron variant, which has a greater transmissibility.

Bagdasarian added models project a very "sharp and fast peak."

"When we look at our new cases, our weekly cases per 100,000, we’re now at a point that we have not seen through this pandemic," Bagdasarian said. "This is the highest number of weekly cases we’ve ever had."

"The omicron surge is expected to hit us hard and fast," she added.

Bagdasarian went on to say during the news conference about 90% of the new cases in some regions of Michigan are omicron infections. Recent CDC data showed the omicron variant outpaced the the delta variant in some regions throughout the United States, including a midwest region that includes Michigan.

"We're expecting to see many, many more cases," Bagdasarian added. "What we want to prevent are many, many more hospitalizations and deaths."

Both health officials urged residents to get vaccinated, test before large gatherings and wear well-fitting, high quality masks in indoor public settings or crowded settings as the best way to fight the latest surge.

As of Monday, 64% of Michigan's population has received at least one vaccine dose, according to CDC data.