GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- West Michigan’s largest hospital system could exceed capacity for coronavirus patients in early May, according to the CEO.

Spectrum Health President and CEO Tina Freese Decker gave that estimation in a video statement Monday evening, March 30. In the video, she reiterated the need for social distancing to reduce that potential surge of patients.

“The modeling for our area shows that, at its current rate, we would exceed demand for hospital and intensive care services in early May, and this would last for many weeks,” Freese Decker said.

“This peak in cases would be more than our healthcare system, or any healthcare system, could handle.”

The message is the most dire yet from the health system and comes as Kent County continues, for a second day in a row, to set its biggest daily increase in new coronavirus cases.

Freese Decker said Spectrum is already undertaking a number of actions to increase hospital capacities. But without people staying at home unless necessary and adhering to social distancing and hygiene guidelines, the 13-county hospital system’s actions aren’t enough to avoid the overwhelming surge, she said.

“We must do more and we need your help,” she said. “We can still change these numbers, but we can only do so together. Together we are strong, and together we will see this through.”

Freese Decker’s plea comes five days after Spectrum officials told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press that the hospital system has enough space to handle a potential surge in coronavirus patients.

Related: Spectrum Health has capacity for ‘surge’ in coronavirus patients

In that time, the number of cases in Kent County alone has more than tripled, from 31 cases on March 25 to 102 cases as of late March 30. One person in the county has died from the virus.

Neighboring Ottawa County has 30 total reported coronavirus cases as of March 30. No one in Ottawa County has died from the virus.

State health officials on Monday reported 6,498 total cases and 184 total deaths statewide. A week ago, the state had 1,328 cases and nine deaths.

The metro Detroit area is the state’s hardest hit in terms of recorded cases, and hospital systems there are feeling the strain.

Read all of MLive’s coverage on the coronavirus at mlive.com/coronavirus.

Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

CORONAVIRUS 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.

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