Madison hospitals stretched to capacity as COVID-19 continues to surge

'We’re hitting our limits’: Madison hospitals stretched to capacity as COVID-19 continues to surge
Posted: January 6, 2022 11:39 AM
Updated: January 6, 2022 10:23 PM by Logan Rude, Tahleel Mohieldin

MADISON, Wis. — Health care providers in Madison are urging the community to take extra precautions as COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to push the local health care system to its limits.

As of Thursday, COVID-19 hospitalizations at the city’s three major hospitals — UnityPoint Health – Meriter, UW Hospital, and SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital — were tied with the previous peak of 179. As cases continue to rise throughout Dane County, health care providers are worried that hospitalizations might reach even higher levels.

“We are asking our community to help keep our health care workers safe and healthy, by continuing to practice COVID-19 safety,” said Dr. Pam Wetzel, chief medical officer at UnityPoint Health – Meriter. “Continued spread of COVID-19 is preventable, we have the tools to stop the spread—masking, limiting gatherings and getting vaccinated and boosted.”

Officials said hospital employees are testing positive at similar rates seen within the community, which has contributed to staffing shortages that make providing care even more difficult.

More at

https://www.channel3000.com/madison-hospitals-at-full-capacity-as-covid-19-continues-to-surge-countywide/

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And this is in (I believe) the only county in Wisconsin with a mask mandate.

My trip to the grocery store today? People mostly masked, but not in a meaningful way since many were under their chin or under their nose. Do store employees say anything? Nope.

Had to go to Menards yesterday to get paint, and there were tons of young and old white men walking around with no mask at all. Store employees walk right by them and say nothing.

We're screwed.