38 states report increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• As the coronavirus cases continue to surge in the US, most hospitals in various states are now nearing its maximum capacity in intensive care unit beds.
• Wisconsin has reported its highest daily number of cases at 5,262 since  the pandemic started while Illinois saw 4,000 new cases and a leap to 58.3%. on daily deaths.
• Utah may also need to administer ration care as COVID-19 hospitalizations soar.

As the United States hit its highest one-week average number of new coronavirus cases since the pandemic began, hospitals in 38 states are now swamped and can hardly keep up with the rising number of new patients sick with COVID-19.  

The surge has been especially hard in the Midwest where seven states such as Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas have all reported near or at capacity intensive care facilities.  According to Johns Hopkins University, death counts each day are averaging at about 800, a level not registered for more than a month.

Health officials in Wisconsin recorded 5,262 new cases, the state’s highest daily number of cases since the pandemic struck, while the Department of Public Health in Illinois saw 4,000 new cases with daily deaths soaring to 58.3%.

“We have got to reverse the trend and slow the spread of this virus,” said Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.

Due to the worsening trends, hospitals in Utah that are nearing its maximum occupancy for intensive care unit beds are about to implement ration care.

“I would say that if you don’t think that your daily actions affect others that you’ve never met, you’re wrong. Everything we do that circulates the virus eventually makes it so that it might get to someone who ends up in the hospital,” Dr. Todd Vento, leading infectious disease doctor at Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City told CBS News.

Furthermore, the American Academy of Pediatrics reports a jump in cases of more than 14% of children sickened by COVID-19 over the past two weeks. What’s more, coronavirus antibodies might only last months just like those for the common cold, says a British study.  

Meanwhile, new restrictions are enforced in the city of Newark where new COVID-19 cases are going beyond 11% with the state surpassing over 45% in its average COVID-19 infection rates.

Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness Director Dr. Mark Wade told CBS News that all non-essential businesses and indoor dining in Newark will be closed at 8 p.m. starting on Tuesday night up to at least November 10.

“It’s not panic. It’s calculated strategies to do what we know works here in Newark,” added Dr. Mark Wade. 

Source: CBS News