Flood of COVID-19 patients is straining south-central Wisconsin hospitals

MADISON (WKOW) – With rates of COVID-19 cases increasing due to the rapid spread of the delta variant, hospitals in Wisconsin are under more pressure than ever before. Some in south-central Wisconsin are calling on communities for help.

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According to a press release from the South Central Wisconsin Healthcare Emergency Readiness Coalition (SCWIHERC), hospitalizations related to COVID-19 quadrupled between July 28 and September 1 in the South Central region. The increase, which includes 5.5 times the number of intensive care admissions, has left many rural hospitals without intensive care beds.

The surge in COVID cases has left hospitals with minimal resources to treat other medical issues. In order to start turning the tide, SCWIHERC is calling on communities and residents to stay engaged in the fight against the pandemic wherever they can.

“To better control the situation, hospitals urge everyone to continue to be vigilant with COVID-19 safety measures, such as receiving any COVID-19 vaccine, masking and physical distancing where appropriate,” SCWIHERC said in the statement.

With premium beds, the main goal is to avoid the need for additional hospitalizations. SCWIHERC noted a similar increase in case rates at the peak of fall and winter 2020, coinciding with the start of the new school year and colder weather keeping people indoors.

“We’re caught crossing corners of the state, transferring patients to opposite corners of the state just to find an empty bed,” said Jennifer Behnke, South Central Coalition Coordinator WI Healthcare Emergency Readiness Coalition ( SCWIHERC)