Hospital beds filling up across the region as omicron cases go up.

The Maryland Hospital Association says capacity for ICU beds has reached over 90%.

ELKRIDGE, Md. — The upward trend in COVID-19 cases, fueled by the omicron variant, is causing more disruptions as the race to obtain tests ramps up.

Hospitalizations are going up across the region, including in Maryland where medical experts say hospital systems are nearing capacity.

Nearly 82% of in-patient beds are currently in use and nearly 72% of ICU beds are in use in Maryland, according to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Maryland Hospital Association President & CEO Bob Atlas said the situation is more dire due to a growing staff shortage.

"The constraint we have is staff," Atlas told WUSA9. "People have left the profession or they've been sidelined for one reason or another. And, they're tired, they're really tired."

Atlas said the real capacity for ICU beds is over 90% when analyzing staffed beds with adequate medical staff.

Over 71% of their in-patient beds are in use and nearly 72% of their ICU bed are in use, per HHS.

In the District, the same data shows 64% of in-patient beds are in use and nearly 76% of ICU beds are occupied. Local health officials reported 9,200 cases of COVID-19 over Christmas weekend.

The DC Hospital Association is monitoring numbers but believes hospitals "remain sufficient to care for patients."

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/omicron-variant-fueling-increase-of-hospital-capacity-across-maryland/65-5c3b4036-589a-49cf-83c1-0369355c5338?