News
Some Ohio Hospitals Are At Or Nearing Capacity Right Now
By: Jo Ingles | Statehouse News Bureau
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (Statehouse News Bureau) — Some Ohio hospitals are reeling from the recent uptick in COVID cases on top of already existing staffing shortages.
Two Southern Ohio hospitals have already hit their ICU capacity and he fears others could do the same soon, according to the Ohio Hospital Association’s John Palmer. The problem, he said, is hospitals just don’t have enough staff.
“We have plans in place to help alleviate and what we call patient diversion strategies but frankly, if all of the other states around us are overwhelmed, and we are seeing other increases, it’s going to get very dire.”
Palmer said staff vaccination mandates are exacerbating the problem but it’s important to make sure medical workers are vaccinated.
He said health care workers who opt-out won’t necessarily be terminated but might have to test for COVID more frequently or wear more protective equipment.
Local health systems across Athens, Fairfield, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Madison, Mason (WV), Meigs, Noble, Pickaway, Ross, Scioto, Vinton and Washington counties penned a joint letter pleading with their communities to get vaccinated and wearing masks in public.
