INDIANAPOLIS — The president of the Indiana Hospital Association calls the state's recent surge in COVID-19 cases "alarming."
"All Hoosiers should be alarmed at the COVID-19 trends we are seeing across the state," said Brian Tabor. "In recent weeks, new cases have reached the highest level to date and hospitalizations have increased by 143% since October 1.
According to Tabor, many Indiana hospitals are reporting staff shortages. "Hoosier nurses, doctors, and other front-line hospital staff have been working non-stop since the early spring," he said. Please give these courageous health care heroes some much-needed relief by wearing a face covering, practicing social distancing, washing your hands, and staying home when you are sick."
Tabor described the the current strain on the healthcare system as "enormous."
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In recent days, the state has been reporting more than 4,000 new cases daily, and over 5,000 on a few days.
Tuesday, the number of new cases was 4,879, and 63 additional COVID-related deaths. Over the last week, the average number of new cases per-day is 4,490.
According to the Hospital Association, COVID-19 is surging in almost every areas of the state, both rural and urban. The northern region of the state is currently experiencing the highest number of cases, along with Marion County and portions of Southern Indiana.
The association notes that even before the pandemic broke out in March, Indiana had a shortage of nurses, physicians, and other practitioners. With the quarantining of staff who become infected with COVID-19, or who may have been exposed to it, these workforce shortages have only grown.
