1) State of the hospitals in the area (IUH Arnett and St. E).  The hospitals are full, of both covid and non covid patients.  At IUH Arnett we were consistently in the single digits for number of covid patients from April/May until about 2 to 4 weeks ago.  Here is the update from yesterday morning (covid hospitalizations rose throughout the day)

Mon 8.16.2021

Arnett has 25 positive COVID inpatients & no PUIs. Adult capacity is at 99%.  Nine patients in the Arnett ICU - four are COVID .  We are expecting nurse staffing challenges this evening and over night.

St. E reporting 26 positive COVID inpatients & 8 PUIs.  12 holds in the ER.  They were on diversion this morning since yesterday afternoon.  Diversion expected to continue due to staffing and patient volumes.

WL UC patient volumes have exceeded 100 for the last three days.  Please continue to keep what we can in primary care before referring to UC and ER.  

Message: tell your friends to drive carefully and avoid any activities or home improvement projects that have a higher risk of injury.  The local hospitals are nearing capacity and at times are at capacity and go on diversion, meaning they cannot take any more patients for a period of time.