Gritman Medical Center announced the COVID-19 crisis in the Moscow area is escalating and is “placing severe stress on the health care system” in a Facebook post Thursday evening.
The last week alone has made up for 21% of the total hospital admitted patients testing positive for COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. Drive through COVID-19 testing, QuickCARE and the emergency department are in “unusually high demand” according to the post.
Several weeks ago, Gritman created a designated COVID-19 care unit and it is already reaching capacity.
“Hospital capacity throughout the region is strained and it has become extraordinarily difficult — sometimes impossible — to transfer patients to other facilities, including patients needing treatment for serious non-COVID-19-related situations,” the post stated.
Of the total amount of people admitted and testing positive for COVID-19 since June 1, 82.35% were unvaccinated, while 17.65% were vaccinated.
Last week, an email from President Scott Green announced there were 11 active COVID-19 cases on campus and six students isolating in Targhee Hall. Currently, there are 13 students in isolation on campus, according to Senior Director of Communications Jodi Walker.
At the end of the Facebook post, Gritman asked the public to stop the spread of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated, wearing masks, washing hands, social distancing and limiting indoor activities with people outside of your household.
Cody Roberts can be reached [email protected] or on Twitter @CodyRobReports