CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While COVID-19 hospitalizations are on the rise, ICU beds are still available to treat sick patients in West Virginia, unlike other states dealing with overcrowding.
“Statewide, we still have very good capacity,” said Jim Kaufman, president and CEO of the West Virginia Hospital Association.
The big challenge for hospitals has been staffing shortages. Kaufman said employees are worn out.
“They’re exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally. Some have left the profession. Some have decided to take opportunities in other states, so it is putting pressure on the hospitals, nursing homes and other health care institutions,” he said.
Front line employees are working to treat more than 400 COVID patients in West Virginia, according to numbers from the state Department of Health and Human Resources. A vast majority of those patients are unvaccinated.
“Hospitals train for emergency situations all the time; however, you’re not usually thinking an emergency situation is going to last 18 months or more,” Kaufman said.
Kaufman said hospitals are seeing younger patients, which is why he stressed the need for more vaccinations.
“With this Delta variant, it is impacting pediatrics more,” he said. “The most important thing we all can do to help our hospitals is to roll up our sleeves and get vaccinated if they’re eligible.”
Hospital visits are not just for COVID patients, Kaufman said.
“We need to continue to treat patients that need care, not just COVID patients. We don’t want to leave any impression that if they’re not feeling well, they shouldn’t see their provider,” he said. “We want to make sure they’re getting all the care they need.”
Hospitals in other states like Alabama have run out of ICU beds. Some are being forced to send COVID patients on planes, helicopters and ambulances hundreds of miles away to receive treatment.
On Friday, West Virginia reported 8,806 active cases, 3,492 breakthrough cases and 3,008 deaths.