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QC Hospitals Fill Up with COVID & Other Patients

Michelle O'Neill
/
WVIK News

COVID-19 cases are surging again in the Quad Cities, and hospitals may run out of beds and staff.

Dr. Kurt Andersen of Genesis Health System is asking more people to get vaccinated and do their part to slow down the spread of severe cases.

Across Illinois, more than 99% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients have not been vaccinated. So, the majority of those getting seriously ill, are unvaccinated.

Dr. Toyosi Olutade, from UnityPoint Health Trinity says currently, 48 patients are in the hospital with the coronavirus infection. Genesis says nearly 30 of its current patients have COVID-19.

Both doctors say hospital resources are limited. And besides COVID-19 patients, they're dealing with more patients than usual for this time of year.

Genesis and Unity Point have already transferred some critically ill patients to other hospitals outside the area, such as Chicago and Omaha.

Also, the Rock Island County Health Department reported today two more residents have died of COVID-19. The health department says one was a woman in her 70s who died in the hospital, and the other was a man in his 80s who died at a long term care center. Over the last eight days, Rock Island County has reported six COVID deaths. And Scott County reported two deaths earlier this week.

The Rock Island County Health Department also reports 135 new cases over the last two days. And 48 residents are in the hospital, three more than on Wednesday. On Wednesday, Iowa reported 392 new cases in Scott County. The Iowa Department of Public Health has been reporting new data weekly but will switch to three times a week after Labor Day.

Michelle O'Neill
/
WVIK News

Officially, Michelle's title for 28 years was WVIK News Editor. She did everything there is to do in the newsroom and whatever was needed around the radio station. She also served as Acting News Director from September 2023 - January 2024.
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