Wayne Beaumont Hospital Closes To Prep For Coronavirus Surge

WAYNE COUNTY, MI — Beaumont Hospital Wayne has temporarily closed as the hospital prepares for a second surge of coronavirus patients.

The health system issued a statement Wednesday addressing rumors surrounding the hospital's closure. Officials said the hospital is not permanently closing, adding the hospital is "temporarily paused and not serving any patients." The few remaining patients at the facility were discharged home or transferred to other hospitals Tuesday, the statement said.

"As the surge was expected to occur just a couple of weeks ago, Beaumont received approval from the state to designate Wayne as a COVID-19 only hospital," officials said in the statement. "Fortunately, the surge was more moderated, likely due to aggressive social distancing, the stay at home order and other factors mitigating the spread of the disease.

"However, we are still operating under several executive orders that severely restrict the extent and type of care we can provide to our community," the statement continues. "Until these executive orders are lifted and the disaster declaration has ended, we are not changing the COVID-19 only status of the Wayne hospital. This is in preparation for a second surge that could occur after the stay at home restrictions end. The pandemic remains very unpredictable. Beaumont Health is committed to responding to potential ongoing COVID-19 surges by relying upon our Wayne hospital and other resources."

Most staff is being redeployed to other Beaumont sites where they can provide care for more patients. Others will be temporarily laid off and could potentially participate in enhanced state/federal unemployment programs.