Over the past few weeks, midwestern states have seen a surge in coronavirus cases, putting medical staff at a higher risk of infection.
What We Know:
- The Mayo Clinic makes up a number of hospitals and clinics in midwestern states like Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. All of which have increased pandemic restrictions due to surging COVID-19 cases. The governor of Wisconsin, Tony Evers, has declared a new state of emergency. Minnesota has tightened restrictions on non-essential businesses to slow down the spread and prevent hospital overcrowding. Iowa’s Governor, Kim Reynolds, has rescinded her previous rejection of a mask mandate and is now requiring them to be used indoors.
- According to ABC News, a press call from Dr. Amy Williams, executive dean of the Mayo Clinic, stated that over the last 14 days, over 900 healthcare professionals have tested positive for COVID-19. That is more than 30% of staff member cases since the start of the pandemic. Williams also says that the majority of the exposure to the virus has occurred outside of work and within the community.
- Many workers are being sent home to quarantine and care for exposed family members, leaving hospitals understaffed. Hot spots like Rochester, Minnesota are calling in for reinforcements from retired nurses, flying in nurses from other states, and pulling research nurses to COVID-19 patient care facilities.
- The Mayo Clinic is also calling for patients to be transferred outside of their health facilities, as their hospitals continue to be overwhelmed. In the press call, Williams also stated that last week, “100% of its hospital beds were full” in northwest Wisconsin. The clinic anticipates the surge to continue over the next two to four weeks.
As cases continue to rise, we can only hope that the new restrictions in the midwest are enough to save their healthcare workers.
