Currently, there are 85 COVID patients in MVHS, 20 in Rome Memorial Hospital and 14 hospitalized outside of the county.
Oneida county residents hospitalized with covid 19.
That....is a new record.
And- the number of actual covid patients in the county's three hospitals is likely higher than that.
Newschannel 2's caitlin irla is live in the studio with details.
Good evening jason.
Currently, there are 85 covid patients in m-v-h-s, 20 in rome memorial hospital and 14 hospitalized outside of the county.
As these hospitalizations increase... local health officials say staffing is the biggest concern.
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None .
None 43:38 "the concern is not so much the physical space and the equipment because hospitals can really jump to the matter and get beds in different locations that are used for office space, etc" 44:06 "the concern would be, do you have enough qualified and available staff to staff x more beds and that's where your surge capacity comes in" right now, that is a concern for mohawk valley health systems. 1:30 "just like hospitals around the country, we are struggling with staffing...there is a nationwide shortage of nurses.
This shortage existed even before covid 19" "and then you add onto that the increased demand on hospitals due to covid and the number of staff that are out because they've been exposed or ill with this virus."
Currently there are 105 patients in oneida county hospitals that are county residents.
It's important to remember, there are patients from other counties that are hospitalized here as well.
As the numbers rise... local elected leaders and hospital administration are preparing for the surge.
The new york state department of health is ordering hospitals across the state to increase bed capacity by 25 percent.
25 percent increase so they can he them available for y surgecapacity ct that's goi to do is be abto asse people tt need to be the hospal as well."
E ceo ofmohawkt increasing capity.
5:55 "atthisr mmunity ande have a surgplan ind increase o bed capacity ineededg to recruit nurses and other staff.
Rome memorial hospitalis.
They put out a request asking retired health care professionals to consider going back to work temporarily.
Jason, back to you.
Mvhs is changing its face mask policy.
In her weekly email
The Hamilton County Health Department is opening COVID-19 vaccine distribution to more residents.
The Emergency Room medical director at Rome Memorial Hospital received the first vaccination Wednesday.
