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COVID-19 Wave Hits Hospitals Nationwide

From coast to coast, hospitals are reporting various levels of new cases that are swamping available resources


Many hospitals nationwide have come under siege from the long-predicted COVID-19 pandemic resurgence. From coast to coast, hospitals are reporting various levels of new cases that are swamping available resources of everything from available beds to personal protective equipment and staffing.

Los Angeles County reported more than 8,000 new COVID-19 cases and another hospitalization record on Monday, contributing to a spike in healthcare worker infections that is putting additional staffing pressure on medical centers already struggling to manage rising patient numbers, according to NBC Los Angeles.

In Alabama, at least two state hospital systems are asking for help from retired nurses and physicians as the number of severe COVID-19 infections continues to grow in Alabama and patients fill hospital beds, according to the Montgomery Advertiser. The Alabama Department of Public Health reported 2,097 COVID-19 hospitalizations, a new record high.

The situation in Pittsburgh is not as dire. Health system UPMC has added hundreds of nurses and expanded bed capacity to meet the sharp uptick in the number of COVID-19 cases that are sweeping Pennsylvania, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Pittsburgh-based hospital system and health insurer said Tuesday that its 40 hospitals are busy but not overwhelmed, and there is no reason for patients to delay non-emergency surgery.



December 11, 2020


Topic Area: Infection Control


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