By Chris Miller, Assistant Editor, Facility Market

Idaho is experiencing a coronavirus surge across the state, and hospitals are struggling to keep up. The situation is forcing state leaders to ask residents to volunteer to help keep healthcare facilities open, according to The Challis Messenger. Positions at all levels and in all parts of the state need to be filled as soon as possible. Since Aug. 20, COVID-19 cases have increased by 31 percent compared to the previous week. Most of the 1,032 new coronavirus cases reported to the state on Aug. 19 are believed to be caused by the more easily spreadable delta variant. 

Those with lapsed healthcare licenses are able to get temporary work authorization due to Idaho’s pandemic response plan. Those without a background in medicine can volunteer to help out with hospital housekeeping, data entry or contact tracing. 

Doctor’s offices also are undergoing great pressure on their services. The high demand for urgent care treatment could slow down the speed at which clinicians can administer COVID-19 vaccines. Idaho’s Primary Health Group is setting records in August seeing approximately 1,600 patients in their urgent care centers daily.

The combination of overwhelmed emergency rooms and doctor’s offices is putting Idaho in a tough position to give the proper care to each patient. The increase in COVID-19 cases is hurting even the younger age groups. The state recently reached a new record of cases reported in children under five years old.