Critical ICU Bed Shortage At UMass Memorial: Report

Worcester MA

06 December, 2021

1:01 PM

Description

WORCESTER, MA —The ICU at UMass Memorial Medical Center is at full capacity and there is a critical bed shortage, WHDH reported Friday. Dr. Eric Dickson, UMass Memorial Heath President and CEO, told the news station that an increase in coronavirus infections, patients getting procedures and operations that had been delayed because of COVID-19, and shortages at nursing homes and other care facilities are the main things contributing to the bed shortage. In Worcester County, there were 5,154 positive COVID-19 tests reported from Nov. 17 to Dec. 1, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Statewide, the number of new cases is higher than it has been since around this time last year. Hundreds of UMass Memorial Health employees chose to give up their jobs over the hospital system's coronavirus vaccine mandate last week. Read more via WHDH.