MADISON, WI (Wisconsin Radio Network-WSAU) As coronavirus cases continue to surge in Wisconsin, Department of Health Services Secretary designee Andrea Palm says hospitals are dealing with the consequences. “That is particularly in our northeastern region, in the Fox Valley. And so we are in constant communication with them about their needs, about how we can work together, about how we can help them.”
Palm said that issue can be just as limiting for hospitals as actual physical space for patients. She told WKOW-TV that bed capacity is not the only issue — hospitals could also face staffing shortages if workers become infected and have to quarantine as a result of that. “In the world we’re living in, with such intense community transmission, they’re having lots of their staff getting infected in the community. They’re coming in contact with people and getting sick, and you can’t have those folks working in the hospital.”
Palm also said getting a flu shot is critical this year, which will also keep healthcare workers from getting sick. She adds that protecting people from the flu will keep the healthcare system from being overrun.
Many hospitals say they are at or near capacity, and some are moving patients to other facilities to free up more beds for those suffering from COVID.
