August 27, 2021 – States across the nation are having to once again take extreme measures to handle the current surge in COVID-19 cases.
New Mexico is on its way toward having its health system overwhelmed as it struggles under a new wave of cases. Between Tuesday and Wednesday alone, the state saw a 20% increase in COVID patients, putting the state is on track to surpass its worst-case projections for cases and hospitalizations. Data shows 90% of the cases since February have been among the unvaccinated, reports USA Today.
New Mexico’s state health officials have established a waiting list for ICU beds for the first time. They estimate that within a week the state will have to begin rationing medical care as infections climb and staffing shortages worsen.
On Wednesday, more than 50 people were on a waiting list for a bed in an intensive care unit, said Dr. David Scrase, who leads the New Mexico department of health and human services. The spike in hospitalizations come as New Mexico endures a wave of COVID-19 infections. The case rate is higher in areas with lower vaccination rates, Scrase said.
New Mexico is not alone. At least ten other states have also recently surpassed their previous records for hospitalized coronavirus patients.
In South Carolina, which by one estimate may be up to 3,500 nurses short of what it needs, hospital systems are buckling under stress as the mounting COVID cases limit care for patients with other medical needs.