The holiday season is here, and many people are planning to gather with family, friends and Beaumont team members soon to celebrate.

However, COVID-19 case numbers continue to increase at an alarming rate in our hospital campuses and surrounding communities. The state positivity test rate for COVID-19 is approximately 18% (highest in the country) and the positivity rate in metro Detroit is above 12%. We have more than 650 COVID-19 patients in our hospitals. There are also many unknowns with the Omicron variant, which is spreading across the globe but is not in the United States at this time.

In addition, our inpatient bed capacity and staffing capabilities are at critical levels. Given these facts, we need to focus on the importance of keeping ourselves, our patients, families and colleagues safe during the surge. We strongly recommend that team members do not gather with each other either at Beaumont sites or offsite locations for holiday celebrations or other activities that could increase the chance for respiratory viral transmission.

Team members should continue to practice effective strategies to reduce COVID-19 transmission, including universal masking, social distancing, proper use of personal protective equipment and using the daily COVID-19 assessment. In addition, meeting capacity at Beaumont site is 25% of the room’s capacity. Virtual meetings are highly encouraged.

If you have questions about gatherings or meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic, please reach out to your physician leader, CMO or the Infection Prevention department at your campus.