Rising COVID Numbers Put North Memorial, Maple Grove Hospital at Capacity
New COVID-19 cases in Minnesota are rising so fast that it is once again putting pressure on the state’s hospital systems. On Thursday, the Minnesota Department of Health posted 5123 newly confirmed cases and 43 new deaths.
Administrators at North Memorial Health and Maple Grove Hospital say the increase in cases stresses staff and resources.
“We are seeing an increased volume in terms of admissions per COVID, and we’re also seeing an increased number of COVID positive cases in our emergency rooms and also our urgent cares,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Carolyn Ogland.
North Memorial Health officials say they are at capacity due to a rise in COVID-19 cases.
COVID-19 Patients Often Have To Wait For A Hospital Bed To Become Available
The health care expert says they see record numbers of COVID-19 patients in the emergency rooms and urgent care facilities.
Dr. Ogland says both North Memorial Health and Maple Grove hospitals are at capacity for bed space, and that sometimes patients have to wait in the emergency room until a bed becomes available.
“It’s consuming hospital beds and consuming the ICU. We are full, and I think most of the metro hospitals are full of the numbers that we’re seeing,” she said.
State officials ask Minnesotans to get vaccinated and take precautions against spreading COVID-19 on Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays.
