Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kurt Andersen says Genesis now has 54 COVID patients, including 19 in intensive care.
"Right now within Genesis, two-thirds or a little bit more than two-thirds of our icu beds are occupied by COVID patients, leaving us only a third of our normal icu capacity to take care of everything else in the community that requires critical care nursing, critical care monitoring, and critical care physicians."
He says these patients were exposed to COVID in a variety of ways - at work, at school, or at family gatherings.
"I think because of vaccinations and an overall level of comfort with COVID this year compared to the previous year, we're seeing more gatherings of families at holidays and getting together. To a certain degree we expected that and that's a good thing, but for the patients who aren't protected, that haven't been vaccinated, that potential exposure could result in serious illness."
Dr. Andersen says the latest surge began at the beginning of November when Genesis was treating fewer than 20 COVID patients. But now it's up to the mid-50's.
One year ago, the post Thanksgiving surge put 120 to 130 people in Genesis hospitals.
