As COVID-19 cases surge across the U.S., particularly among unvaccinated Americans, hospitals have been pushed to their limits treating the influx of patients — and five states are nearly out of ICU beds.



Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Florida and Arkansas have less than 10% left of their ICU bed capacity, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services.

In Georgia, the CEO of Northeast Georgia Health Systems said it had 287 COVID-19 patients Monday morning, which is more than the hospital has had since January.

"So, in essence, our hospitals are full," Carol Burrell said. "We're looking to add space in hallways and conference rooms in waiting areas. Our emergency rooms and our urgent care centers are seeing higher volume than they've seen throughout this pandemic," she said.

Hospitals around the country have been stretched as cases have picked back up, but the South, where vaccinations have been lagging, has been particularly hit. Many hospitals have been reporting oxygen shortages.

On Monday, data presented by a vaccine adviser from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed a hospitalization rate 16 times greater in the unvaccinated population than in those vaccinated.

"This to me seems to be a strong indication that the current epidemiologic curve that we're seeing is really a reflection of failure to vaccinate, not vaccine failure," said Dr. Matthew F. Daley at the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting.

The effect of the low vaccination levels can be seen in Kentucky, where hospitals are overwhelmed with record numbers of COVID-19 patients and 58 of the 96 hospitals are reporting critical staffing shortages, Gov. Andy Beshear said Monday.

"We're living in a reality where some COVID patients who are sick are being treated in their cars when there isn't room for them inside the ER or inside the hospital," Beshear said.

And Mississippi is also struggling, with only nine ICU beds available in the state, Mississippi Department of Health Senior Deputy and Director Jim Craig said Monday.

thì làm ICU at parking lot

ICU 0 có chổ nhưng có phòng khác trong hospital that are non ICU 0? Dù sao đi nửa thì ở trong nhà thương được treated by doctors/nurses cũng better hơn là ở nhà mà lo sợ đủ điều hết.

maybe dùng convention center - chắc chắn và safe place against weather hay như last year tụi lính build temporary hospital in NY ?

còn khám cho cases nhẹ ở ER maybe go back to build the tents like before ?