Hospitals across the U.S. are feeling the wrath of the omicron variant that is different from earlier COVID-19 surges. This time, they are dealing with serious staff shortages because health care workers are getting sick with the fast-spreading variant.
This time, they are dealing with serious staff shortages because so many health care workers are getting sick with the fast-spreading variant. People are showing up at emergency rooms in large numbers in hopes of getting tested for COVID-19, putting more strain on the system. And a surprising share of patients — two-thirds in some places — are testing positive while in the hospital for other reasons.
“This is getting very tiring, and I’m being very polite in saying that,” said Dr. Robert Glasgow of University of Utah Health, which has hundreds of workers out sick or in isolation. At two large Seattle hospitals over the past two weeks, three-quarters of the 64 patients testing positive for the coronavirus were admitted with a primary diagnosis other than COVID-19.
Some hospitals are reporting as much as one quarter of their staff out for virus-related reasons, said Kiyomi Burchill, the California Hospital Association’s vice president for policy and leader on pandemic matters.University of Utah Health plans to keep more than 50 beds open because it doesn’t have enough nurses. It is also rescheduling surgeries that aren’t urgent. In Florida, a hospital temporarily closed its maternity ward because of staff shortages.
“We’re not even halfway to what we were in April 2020,” said Dr. David Battinelli, the physician-in-chief for Northwell Health, New York state’s largest hospital system. In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine announced new or expanded testing sites in nine cities to steer test-seekers away from ERs. About 300 National Guard members are being sent to help out at those centers.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
COVID-19 live updates: 126,000 Americans hospitalized with COVID-19Florida allowed up to a million COVID-19 rapid test kits to expire last month; official says the stockpile sat idle in a Florida warehouse amid a lack of demand.
Consulte Mais informação »
British troops to help London hospitals hit by Covid-19 staff shortagesThe British government is tapping into the military to ease staffing shortages across London hospitals caused by a fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak.
Consulte Mais informação »
Former Biden health advisers: US needs to change Covid-19 strategy to face 'new normal'Former health advisers to President Joe Biden say the US strategy for the Covid-19 pandemic needs to be updated to face a 'new normal' of living with the virus, rather than aiming to eliminate it.
Consulte Mais informação »
Liu withdraws from U.S. Figure Skating Championships after positive COVID-19 testTwo-time national champion Alysa Liu has withdrawn from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships after testing positive for COVID-19 and plans to petition for one of three spots on the U.S. Olympic team, U.S. Figure Skating said on Friday.
Consulte Mais informação »
U.S. forces in S.Korea raise COVID-19 alert amid record infectionsU.S. Forces Korea (USFK) raised its health protection alert on Saturday after posting its highest weekly tally of new coronavirus infections, at 682.
Consulte Mais informação »
Amazon cuts COVID-19 leave time for U.S. employeesAmazon on Friday cut its paid leave policy for employees infected with COVID from 10 days to 7 following the CDC's change in quarantine guidance. The new policy is effective immediately and applies to all U.S. employees, regardless of vaccination status.
Consulte Mais informação »