They haven’t filled every bed available in the intensive care unit since the COVID-19 pandemic began, but during periods over the past two weeks Hutchinson Regional Medical Center has reached its capacity in terms of staffing, a Hutchinson Regional Medical Center official reported Tuesday. At the same time, health officials are finding more people are unwilling to assist with contact tracing, and people sick with the virus appear to be staying sick longer. “As of 7 a.m. (Tuesday) we had 19 positive COVID patients, with three of the 19 intubated and on mechanical ventilation,” said Chuck Welch, HRMC vice president. “Over the last month and a half, we’ve seen an increase into the high teens to 20 consistently. Before that, we were holding at anywhere from five to 10 positives. The positives in the community have definitely trended up.”
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
