Southeast Michigan hospitals overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients will begin shifting patients to other hospitals around the state, Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said Thursday.

Speaking at the Michigan Capitol Thursday morning, Khaldun said Michigan is beginning implementation of a “load balancing plan” for hospitals, asking hospitals outside of Southeast Michigan to serve as relief hospitals and accept patients from other hospitals that are currently at or near capacity.

“We already have hospitals who are stepping up to be a relief hospital and are starting this process,” she said. “We will remain flexible so that every community has the healthcare resources that it needs to address the spread.”

The load balancing would apply for both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients, according to the governor’s office.

Khaldun said Michigan officials are also working on developing a plan for alternate sites outside of hospitals to care for patients who may have COVID-19 “should we need them.”

Some Michigan universities, including Oakland University and Grand Valley State University, have offered up dorm rooms as a possible alternative.

The news comes as Beaumont Health, which operates eight hospitals in Wayne and Oakland counties, approaches capacity while caring for hundreds of confirmed or possible COVID-19 cases. Health care systems around the state are currently eyeing their capacity limits as they prepare to treat patients with respiratory issues caused by COVID-19.

Related: Michigan hospitals eye capacity issues as coronavirus cases mount

The region has been the hardest hit in Michigan, with about 89 percent of cases -- 2,046 of 2,295 -- occurring in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

During Thursday’s press conference, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer reiterated that the state badly needs more personal protective equipment and other items in hospitals, saying hospital gowns, ventilators, hand sanitizer, gloves, surgical masks and no-touch thermometers are among the items Michigan health care workers need most.

She said the state has secured 13 million N95 masks, 226,000 surgical masks, 35,000 hospital gowns, more than 4 million gloves, nearly 100,000 face shields, 250 beds and thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer, but said, “It’s still not nearly enough to meet our need.”

PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus. Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible. Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home ( door handles, faucets, countertops ) and when you go into places like stores.

Complete coverage of coronavirus in Michigan.

Related coverage:

Michigan Gov. Whitmer says medics are reusing face masks, asks for donations amid coronavirus spread

Thursday, March 26: Latest developments on coronavirus in Michigan

Another big jump in Michigan coronavirus numbers: Now at 2,295 cases; 43 deaths

Michigan doctor says leave groceries outside for 3 days if possible, shows how to disinfect

Michigan unemployment system overwhelmed

Congress reaches $2 Trillion coronavirus aid deal

Local law enforcement to handle non-essential business complaints

How to report non-essential businesses