"Our People Are Really Tired" -- Hospital Official Pleads For Utahns To Wear Masks As ICUs Fill Up

Utah health officials announced 1,501 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, setting a new record for the state. The seven-day average of new daily cases is 1,114, up more than 100 from the average this time last week and also a record.

Hospitalizations are also surging as 237 Utahns are currently hospitalized for COVID-19, marking another new high since the start of the pandemic. Today also marked a record-high number of cases for people over the age of 65.

University of Utah infectious disease physician Dr. Emily Spivak said the university hospital’s intensive care unit is now 95% full. She made an emotional plea during a press conference Thursday for Utahns to wear masks, while describing the strain that the spike has put on healthcare workers.

“People are really tired,” Spivak said through tears. “They’re suffering, and they don’t want to see another person die alone of a preventable infection.”

Read more: https://www.kuer.org/health-science-environment/2020-10-08/our-people-are-really-tired-hospital-official-pleads-for-utahns-to-wear-masks-as-icus-fill-up