Tracking COVID-19 hospitalization in every state
Tracking COVID-19 hospitalization in every state
Hospitals around the country have been and continue to be filled to capacity thanks in large part to COVID-19. Medical centers and their staff across the United States are stretching their resources as far as they can to accommodate the influx of patients with COVID-19 on top of their normal load of patients for this time of year.
The growing number of COVID-19 cases across the country has led to crowded emergency departments, hospital wards, and intensive care units (ICU). In New Mexico, hospitals were so overwhelmed as of Dec. 9, with no reduction in sight, that state health officials are planning to allow hospitals to ration care, meaning hospitals choose who to admit based on the patient's odds of survival. In several states, such as Iowa, Mississippi, and Georgia, hospitals have had to send ambulances away—whether they're carrying COVID-19 patients or others—because they don't have the space and staff necessary to admit new patients in need of critical care. One Nevada hospital has expanded into its parking garage to add more beds for COVID-19 patients.
To examine COVID-19 hospitalizations in every state, Stacker used current and historical data from the COVID Tracking Project, a volunteer effort based at The Atlantic, which compiles and standardizes daily testing and outcomes data from state health departments. The story also includes data on each state's hospital capacity and hospitals experiencing staffing shortages, via the Department of Health and Human Services.
Stacker visualized how many patients have been hospitalized with COVID-19 since March 1, when most states began reporting COVID-19 data. The visualizations show each state's seven-day moving average of hospitalizations—the average number of hospitalizations for the previous seven days—as well as the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations for every 100,000 state residents. All data are from March 1 through Dec. 1.
Read on to see the impact of this disease on hospitals across the country.
Editor's note: Betsy Ladyzhets, a research associate at Stacker who worked on this story, volunteers for the COVID-19 Tracking Project.
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Alabama
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 24
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Mar. 26
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Jul. 6
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 13 (2,248 patients, 46 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 75.1% occupied (16.4% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 87.4% occupied (7.8% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 36 hospitals out of 117 (30.8%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 40 hospitals (34.2%)
Alabama began the month of December by breaking COVID-19 hospitalization records every day from Dec. 1 through Dec. 4, continuing to surpass its previous hospitalization numbers from Dec. 6 through Dec. 8. At least two hospital systems are recruiting retired nurses and physicians as well as nursing students for help.
Alaska
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 18
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Nov. 5
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 5 (166 patients, 22 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 57.6% occupied (8.6% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 73.3% occupied (18.3% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 4 hospitals out of 24 (16.7%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 3 hospitals (12.5%)
In November, Anne Zink, the state’s chief medical officer, told Anchorage Daily News that Alaska’s capacity to care for patients keeps her up at night. At the beginning of December, COVID-19 patients accounted for 15.1% of hospitalizations. At major hospitals employee absences are up due to coronavirus infections, and hospitals have been trying to recruit temporary workers from outside the state. But they face competition from hospitals across the country trying to bring in extra help too.
Arizona
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 13
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 13
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Jun. 2
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 13 (3,622 patients, 52 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 76.7% occupied (22.3% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 71.1% occupied (5.7% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 38 hospitals out of 122 (31.1%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 42 hospitals (34.4%)
Banner Health, one of Arizona’s large health systems, cares for about half of the state’s COVID-19 patients, and was preparing to reach its capacity by Dec. 15, and hit 125% of its capacity Dec.18. Hospitals are also waiting on grant money to hire more medical staff. In light of rising cases and hospitalizations, University of Arizona’s COVID-19 modeling team sent a memo to the state’s department of health services, recommending officials impose a shelter-in-place order—along with emergency economic relief measures—to limit new cases and ease the burden on the state’s hospitals.
Arkansas
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 22
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 23
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Nov. 25
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 2 (1,088 patients, 36 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 72.5% occupied (13.0% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 79.4% occupied (10.7% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 37 hospitals out of 110 (33.6%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 42 hospitals (38.2%)
Like Alabama, Arkansas also began December by setting new COVID-19 hospitalization records. By mid-December, the state plans to have its Trauma Communications Center, the service that coordinates patient transfers between hospitals, coordinating COVID-19 patient transfers to make the best use of hospital resources.
California
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 27
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Mar. 27
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Mar. 28
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 13 (13,960 patients, 36 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 76.4% occupied (20.9% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 83.2% occupied (5.2% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 113 hospitals out of 415 (27.2%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 137 hospitals (33.0%)
At the end of November, Gov. Gavin Newsom estimated that by Christmas Eve, the need for critical care could surpass California's hospitals' capacity. To avoid this outcome, Los Angeles County issued a stay-at-home order at the end of November, banning gatherings except for outdoor religious services and outdoor political protests. On Dec. 3, California issued a new public health order that orders closure of certain businesses if a region has more than 85% of its ICU beds full.
Colorado
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 22
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Mar. 24
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 24
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 2 (1,995 patients, 36 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 67.3% occupied (14.1% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 68.2% occupied (6.7% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 11 hospitals out of 103 (10.7%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 17 hospitals (16.5%)
Colorado’s COVID-19 hospitalization record stood at 888 hospitalizations in one day from April until Nov. 5. That day there were 894 hospitalizations, and they’ve been on the rise since Dec. 1. The Denver Post provided a snapshot of the contrast between now and previous years: On Monday, Nov. 30, 79% of the state’s intensive-care and 81% of general medical care beds were in use, whereas in 2017, only about half of all beds were full on an average day.
Connecticut
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 22
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Mar. 25
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 4
- Date with the highest patient count: Apr. 22 (1,972 patients, 55 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 76.4% occupied (15.7% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 58.9% occupied (3.5% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 2 hospitals out of 40 (5.0%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 3 hospitals (7.5%)
In Connecticut, there may not be enough doctors and nurses to care for patients as COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise. In the spring, health care workers from other states helped shoulder some of the burden, but with hospitalizations on the rise across the country, the state can’t rely on that aid. In anticipation of staffing shortages, hospitals are rethinking staffing plans, training more nurses in critical care and redeploying workers around the state where they’re most needed.
Delaware
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 25
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 5
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 11 (363 patients, 38 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 72.7% occupied (13.3% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 83.9% occupied (8.6% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 1 hospitals out of 16 (6.3%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 3 hospitals (18.8%)
Gov. John Carney estimated that the state’s hospitals can handle between 400-500 COVID-19 patients. According to reporting from Delaware Online, if hospitalizations continue to increase at the same rate they have since Nov. 25, in a little over two weeks more than 400 COVID-19 patients could be hospitalized. While Delaware hospitals could make more space by setting up field hospitals, the main concern is staffing shortages.
Florida
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Jul. 10
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Jul. 10
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Jul. 10
- Date with the highest patient count: Jul. 21 (9,520 patients, 46 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 75.5% occupied (9.1% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 79.8% occupied (4.3% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 9 hospitals out of 269 (3.3%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 29 hospitals (10.8%)
On Dec. 1, Florida officially reached over one million COVID-19 cases. Cindy Krischer Goodman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that the CEO of the Florida Hospital Association says most of the state’s hospitals have developed plans to quickly respond to a surge in patients.
Georgia
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: May. 1
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: May. 1
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: May. 1
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 13 (3,237 patients, 31 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 79.3% occupied (14.6% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 88.4% occupied (6.5% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 32 hospitals out of 171 (18.7%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 39 hospitals (22.8%)
Georgia's large health care systems are seeing increases in COVID-19 hospitalizations. Emory Healthcare, an 11-hospital system in Atlanta, has watched its number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients double from the beginning of November to the end of the month. Hospital CEOs from across the state reported that they've also been facing greater demand from non-COVID-19 patients. On Dec. 2, 26 hospitals, including large hospitals, had to turn away new ICU patients.
Hawaii
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Jul. 14
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Aug. 4
- Date with the highest patient count: Sep. 1 (297 patients, 21 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 68.5% occupied (2.7% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 67.7% occupied (11.4% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 1 hospitals out of 26 (3.8%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 2 hospitals (7.7%)
In the fall, Hawaii hospitals began preparing for a surge in COVID-19 patients, projecting that their average monthly hospital admissions will more than double, from 200 to 450 per month in January. To increase ICU capacity, Queens Medical Center, the state’s largest hospital, opened a new infectious disease unit in October, adding 24 beds to the state’s 340 ICU beds.
Idaho
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 26
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Jul. 7
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 5 (477 patients, 28 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 58.5% occupied (12.7% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 75.8% occupied (16.4% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 7 hospitals out of 52 (13.5%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 8 hospitals (15.4%)
COVID-19 hospitalizations in Idaho have been on the rise since October, and so have ICU hospitalizations. If the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare determines that patients’ health care needs have surpassed the state’s resources, hospitals will need to implement crisis standards of care, determining which patients in critical need receive care at a given hospital. Late in November, Idaho Air and National Guard members began training to administer the coronavirus tests so that more health care workers are free for clinical care.
Illinois
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 7
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 7
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 7
- Date with the highest patient count: Nov. 21 (6,175 patients, 48 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 68.6% occupied (16.6% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 69.7% occupied (5.6% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 36 hospitals out of 201 (17.9%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 41 hospitals (20.4%)
On Nov. 20, Illinois enacted new coronavirus restrictions, called Tier 3 Resurgence Mitigations, to slow spread and lower hospitalization rates. These measures include no indoor dining at restaurants, capacity limitations for gyms and retail, closing museums, and limiting attendance to 10 family members at funerals. To move to less restrictive measures, Illinois’ health care regions must have more than 20% of their ICU and hospital beds available for three consecutive days.
Indiana
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 25
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 25
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 25
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 1 (3,460 patients, 52 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 69.3% occupied (16.5% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 77.3% occupied (7.4% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 29 hospitals out of 164 (17.7%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 34 hospitals (20.7%)
As of Dec. 1, Indiana had the second highest COVID-19 hospitalization rate in the United States, with about three hospitalized COVID-19 patients for every two ICU beds. Gov. Eric Holcomb extended the state’s public health emergency through the end of the year and instructed hospitals to postpone elective, or non-urgent, surgeries.
Iowa
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 25
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 7
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Nov. 9
- Date with the highest patient count: Nov. 18 (1,527 patients, 49 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 56.9% occupied (9.4% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 67.3% occupied (18.1% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 4 hospitals out of 126 (3.2%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 5 hospitals (4.0%)
In Iowa, the state is building up staffing resources by issuing temporary emergency licenses for nurses who have completed their education requirements, but have not taken their licensing exam. The University of Iowa's nursing college has also created a program that will allow student nurses to work in hospitals under nurse supervision, to give licensed nurses more time to care for COVID-19 patients. The number of inpatient beds has also been an issue in Iowa, and in November, some hospitals were turning away patients because they had no free beds.
Kansas
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Jul. 25
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Jul. 25
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Nov. 18
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 2 (1,196 patients, 41 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 61.2% occupied (13.8% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 80.9% occupied (17.3% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 39 hospitals out of 150 (26.0%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 53 hospitals (35.3%)
Small Kansas hospitals are struggling to care for patients with their available resources. When they try to transfer patients to larger medical centers, there’s no guarantee those hospitals will be able to accommodate them. Not only is space for patients an issue, but 41% of the state’s hospitals report staffing shortages as of Dec. 7.
Kentucky
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 10
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 10
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Nov. 3
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 3 (1,810 patients, 41 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 60.9% occupied (12.7% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 73.2% occupied (7.2% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 4 hospitals out of 124 (3.2%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 7 hospitals (5.6%)
Like other states, Kentucky also started the month with record-breaking hospitalization levels. Kentucky hospitals are coordinating to provide the best care for patients while maintaining capacity. The University of Kentucky hospital, for example, closed operating rooms to create more space for COVID-19 patients, and is working with other hospitals to move around patients based on the severity of their diseases and care that they need.
Louisiana
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 24
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Mar. 24
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Mar. 29
- Date with the highest patient count: Apr. 13 (2,134 patients, 46 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 66.1% occupied (9.9% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 73.9% occupied (12.0% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 38 hospitals out of 221 (17.2%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 43 hospitals (19.5%)
Louisiana tightened COVID-19 restrictions the week of Thanksgiving, setting occupancy limits for most nonessential businesses at 50%, down from 75%, to cut down on the number of new cases and hospitalizations. To free up resources for rising hospitalizations, some hospitals have discussed making changes to admissions for elective surgeries.
Maine
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 13
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Nov. 23
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 11 (182 patients, 14 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 66.9% occupied (7.0% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 75.6% occupied (11.9% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 10 hospitals out of 39 (25.6%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 8 hospitals (20.5%)
Unlike other states, Maine didn’t experience much of a surge in the spring, and until November, 95 communities hadn't even recorded one case. With rising numbers of cases and hospitalizations, hospitals have added more critical care beds.
Maryland
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 21
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 21
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 21
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 11 (1,729 patients, 29 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 79.8% occupied (17.7% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 78.6% occupied (4.4% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 9 hospitals out of 59 (15.3%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 11 hospitals (18.6%)
Maryland has faced staffing shortages and the governor announced a plan to recruit more health care workers—the MarylandMedNow initiative. Among other things, the initiative encourages colleges and universities to allow nursing students in their last semester an early exit and an expedited licensing process, and asks localities to have school nurses and health services staff to help with testing and vaccinations.
Massachusetts
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 4
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 4
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 4
- Date with the highest patient count: Apr. 21 (3,977 patients, 58 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 78.5% occupied (9.1% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 69.9% occupied (6.8% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 9 hospitals out of 101 (8.9%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 8 hospitals (7.9%)
Massachusetts has reopened one of its field hospitals in the city of Worcester to provide beds for COVID-19 patients who need hospital-level care, but not from the ICU. There are plans for a second field hospital to open in the coming weeks at UMASS Lowell. To expand capacity, hospitals are postponing elective procedures and nursing homes have set up COVID-19 units, isolated from the residents.
Michigan
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 9
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 9
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 9
- Date with the highest patient count: Nov. 30 (4,326 patients, 43 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 76.3% occupied (16.2% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 83.4% occupied (6.2% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 30 hospitals out of 163 (18.4%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 32 hospitals (19.6%)
Michigan hospitals have been dealing with a surge in COVID-19 patients since October. At the beginning of December, hospitalizations began slowly decreasing, but officials and hospital workers were readying for the expected post-Thanksgiving surge, anticipating a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations after holiday travel.
Minnesota
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 25
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 5
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Nov. 6
- Date with the highest patient count: Nov. 30 (1,840 patients, 33 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 73.0% occupied (14.6% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 79.1% occupied (13.6% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 21 hospitals out of 139 (15.1%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 26 hospitals (18.7%)
In an effort to increase staffing levels, Minnesota hospitals are offering winter internships to nursing students to help with the COVID-19 surge. Since the fall surge began, home-monitoring programs have become more popular, further easing the pressure on hospitals. People at home with COVID-19 can talk with a health care provider on the phone and receive instructions on how to address their symptoms as they arise.
Mississippi
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 20
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 20
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Jul. 13
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 10 (1,286 patients, 43 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 64.1% occupied (14.3% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 81.5% occupied (12.3% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 21 hospitals out of 108 (19.4%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 30 hospitals (27.8%)
Although Mississippi has seen its highest numbers of hospitalizations and patients on ventilators in recent weeks, and state health officials have been calling for a statewide mask mandate, only a little over half of the state’s counties have mandates. In mid-November, hospitals by the state’s coast were on diversion, turning away new patients to deal with a COVID-19 surge. When larger, nearby medical centers haven’t been able to accept patients diverted from smaller hospitals, some hospital officials have been calling to facilities out of state.
Missouri
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 4
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 4
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 14
- Date with the highest patient count: Nov. 21 (2,851 patients, 47 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 77.6% occupied (15.0% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 83.6% occupied (7.3% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 47 hospitals out of 141 (33.3%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 62 hospitals (44.0%)
In the spring, Missouri hospitals prepared for COVID-19 patients by converting floors to units just for COVID-19 patients and adding beds. Health officials also considered erecting tents or converting buildings into field hospitals. Now that the surge has hit the state, hospitals and health officials are once again having these conversations, as well as discussing how they might reshuffle patients between large and small hospitals, depending on the severity of their sickness.
Montana
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 9
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Aug. 13
- Date with the highest patient count: Nov. 20 (506 patients, 49 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 67.9% occupied (11.1% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 67.1% occupied (28.3% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 16 hospitals out of 67 (23.9%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 18 hospitals (26.9%)
Montana has coped with rising hospitalizations and staffing shortages by contracting out-of-state health care workers to work in Montana hospitals. Scott Ellner, CEO of the health care system Billings Clinic told CNBC that the system’s facilities were already at or above capacity on Nov. 30. Billings Clinic officials have been coordinating with other health care officials across the state, discussing sending some patients to assisted living facilities and other hospitals.
Nebraska
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: May. 12
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: May. 12
- Date with the highest patient count: Nov. 21 (987 patients, 52 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 63.1% occupied (13.3% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 66.0% occupied (17.7% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 16 hospitals out of 101 (15.8%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 26 hospitals (25.7%)
To recruit more nurses, Nebraska is allowing retired nurses to get back to work without completing the typical licensing requirements or paying fees. The governor has also extended an executive order allowing physicians and nurses from other states to help Nebraska hospitals.
Nevada
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 7
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 7
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Jul. 15
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 11 (1,854 patients, 63 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 79.7% occupied (22.6% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 69.2% occupied (5.8% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 9 hospitals out of 62 (14.5%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 15 hospitals (24.2%)
Despite the high hospitalization rates, the state’s hospital association says facilities have enough personal protective equipment. To deal with the continuing surge, a Reno hospital has added two floors worth of beds for COVID-19 patients by outfitting its parking garage with the necessary equipment. More than 260 patients have been treated there as of Dec. 7.
New Hampshire
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 14
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 27
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 11 (258 patients, 19 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 70.2% occupied (8.6% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 62.1% occupied (10.6% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 5 hospitals out of 30 (16.7%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 7 hospitals (23.3%)
New Hampshire prepared for an influx of COVID-19 patients by ensuring availability of personal protective equipment and COVID-19 tests within facilities, as well as remembering lessons from the earlier spring surge, like how to convert areas to COVID-isolation units. Hospital officials have told the state that if needed, they could increase capacity by about 10%.
New Jersey
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 26
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Mar. 26
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Mar. 26
- Date with the highest patient count: Apr. 15 (8,270 patients, 93 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 74.2% occupied (16.1% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 65.3% occupied (3.9% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 11 hospitals out of 96 (11.5%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 10 hospitals (10.4%)
At the beginning of December, new restrictions limiting indoor and outdoor sports took effect in New Jersey in light of increasing hospitalizations. On some occasions, hospitals have maxed out their capacity and faced staffing shortages due to outbreaks among health care workers. Because they're too full or don't have enough staff, some hospital emergency departments have had to divert ambulances.
New Mexico
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 28
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 20
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 3 (947 patients, 45 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 69.0% occupied (18.8% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 99.8% occupied (12.3% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 18 hospitals out of 54 (33.3%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 18 hospitals (33.3%)
In November, New Mexico closed nonessential businesses and ordered residents to stay home to keep hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. But hospital beds are filling quickly, and on Dec. 5, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced she’d soon allow hospitals to initiate crisis standards of care, allowing them to ration care and resources based on a patient’s chances of survival.
New York
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 17
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Mar. 17
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Mar. 20
- Date with the highest patient count: Apr. 13 (18,825 patients, 96 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 72.3% occupied (12.4% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 61.2% occupied (3.0% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 23 hospitals out of 204 (11.3%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 22 hospitals (10.8%)
In its “surge and flex” protocol, New York has mandated hospitals expand their capacity by 25% and, like other states, has asked retired health care workers to return to work and is waiving fees and automatically renewing registration. As part of the protocol, patients can also be transferred between hospitals if needed. If hospital capacity is projected to reach 90% within three weeks based on current seven-day averages, regions must shut down.
North Carolina
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 25
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Mar. 30
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Jul. 9
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 12 (2,577 patients, 25 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 75.8% occupied (11.7% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 82.7% occupied (5.3% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 9 hospitals out of 132 (6.8%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 13 hospitals (9.8%)
On Dec. 8, North Carolina set a new record for coronavirus patients in the ICU with 573. A modified stay-at-home order went into effect Dec. 11 until Jan. 8, requiring everyone to stay home between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. except for grocery or medical trips, and businesses need to close at 10 p.m. Health officials hope that the curfew can limit high-risk, crowded activity at bars and restaurants. A University of North Carolina and Duke Health report projected that if trends continue, North Carolina could run out of beds within five weeks, and states that hospitals might need to cancel elective procedures or modify their patient admission and discharge procedures to free up space, assuming enough healthy doctors and nurses are available to staff those beds.
North Dakota
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 5
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Sep. 26
- Date with the highest patient count: Nov. 14 (425 patients, 57 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 63.6% occupied (9.8% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 75.0% occupied (56.8% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 21 hospitals out of 50 (42.0%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 20 hospitals (40.0%)
In November, North Dakota had the highest daily mortality rate for COVID-19 in the world, followed by the country Czechia in second, and the state of South Dakota in third. On Nov. 9, Gov. Doug Burgum ordered health care workers who tested positive for the coronavirus, but didn’t have symptoms, to continue working as the state’s hospitals reached capacity and faced staffing shortages.
Ohio
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: May. 2
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: May. 2
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: May. 2
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 1 (5,226 patients, 45 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 67.0% occupied (16.1% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 74.4% occupied (5.4% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 39 hospitals out of 229 (17.0%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 63 hospitals (27.5%)
For patients in Ohio, instead of their local hospital, they may be sent to facilities hours away, and adults may even be sent to pediatric hospitals as the spike in COVID-19 cases continues to strain health care systems. Regions of the state are coordinating with each other to make sure patients have somewhere to go. If necessary, this coordination might lead to hospitals opening more ICUs depending on available staff and patient needs.
Oklahoma
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 1
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 1
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Nov. 4
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 2 (1,782 patients, 45 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 70.6% occupied (15.4% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 89.5% occupied (13.1% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 48 hospitals out of 155 (31.0%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 56 hospitals (36.1%)
On Dec. 4, only 33 ICU beds were available across the entire state. To alleviate some of the strain on hospitals and create space, Oklahoma hospitals have put up tents outside their facilities to triage patients, allowed nursing students to begin their clinical sessions early, and set up portable shelters for an overflow of COVID-19 patients. Due to the high demand of medical care, some patients haven’t been able to receive necessary treatments, or have had to wait days in the emergency department to see a doctor.
Oregon
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 27
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Mar. 28
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 9 (642 patients, 16 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 74.3% occupied (10.1% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 68.1% occupied (8.2% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 5 hospitals out of 65 (7.7%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 7 hospitals (10.8%)
Hospitals in the state capital, around Portland, and in a few other cities have postponed elective surgeries to deal with climbing hospitalizations. A Portland hospital converted around 100 beds for COVID-19 patients, dedicated four medical and surgical units for coronavirus care, and also postponed elective surgeries to allow more staff to help with COVID-19 patients.
Pennsylvania
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 7
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 7
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 7
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 13 (5,970 patients, 47 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 76.1% occupied (18.9% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 81.6% occupied (5.7% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 41 hospitals out of 228 (18.0%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 44 hospitals (19.3%)
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center health care system has hired 200 nurses and added more beds to ensure there are enough resources available for patients as COVID-19 case levels rise. As of Dec. 9, the governor was considering implementing more mitigation efforts to prevent hospitals from becoming too overwhelmed.
Rhode Island
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 25
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 5
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 10 (466 patients, 44 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 85.2% occupied (22.0% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 80.8% occupied (8.5% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 3 hospitals out of 15 (20.0%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 3 hospitals (20.0%)
Rhode Island has opened field hospitals for non-critical patients. Field and main hospitals alike are facing staffing shortages, and hospital officials are expediting the hiring process, hiring temporary help, asking for medical students to volunteer and tempting underemployed health care workers with any part-time or full-time schedule they’d like.
South Carolina
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: May. 21
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: May. 21
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Jun. 29
- Date with the highest patient count: Jul. 23 (1,723 patients, 35 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 78.5% occupied (11.5% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 78.0% occupied (6.7% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 22 hospitals out of 87 (25.3%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 31 hospitals (35.6%)
For South Carolina hospitals, staffing is also one of the main concerns. According to a Dec. 6 White House report on COVID-19 in the state, state and local governments aren't enacting effective mitigation policies that were in place to address the summer spike in cases, and the state should test adults under 40 to see who became infected over Thanksgiving and advise them to quarantine and isolate to potentially prevent a larger surge in virus spread and hospitalizations.
South Dakota
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 21
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: May. 26
- Date with the highest patient count: Nov. 10 (607 patients, 70 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 60.8% occupied (15.4% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 67.4% occupied (24.5% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 11 hospitals out of 64 (17.2%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 14 hospitals (21.9%)
South Dakota facilities have become so crowded that some patients are being flown to out-of-state hospitals. On Dec. 2, just 6.2% of ICU beds were available in one hospital system, and others reported that their ICUs were completely full.
Tennessee
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 31
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 1
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Jul. 7
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 12 (2,919 patients, 44 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 64.4% occupied (14.1% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 83.5% occupied (4.6% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 23 hospitals out of 144 (16.0%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 43 hospitals (29.9%)
Some hospitals in Tennessee have postponed non-urgent procedures to accommodate the influx of patients. At the beginning of the month, Gov. Bill Lee issued an executive order that allows National Guard members with the appropriate training to be sent to hospitals as nurses, ambulance drivers, or COVID-19 test administrators.
Texas
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 31
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Mar. 31
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 6
- Date with the highest patient count: Jul. 22 (10,893 patients, 39 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 74.8% occupied (13.6% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 82.8% occupied (7.4% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 147 hospitals out of 591 (24.9%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 176 hospitals (29.8%)
In November, medical teams from the Department of Defense had to help out overwhelmed El Paso hospitals, and the University Medical Center leased space at the children’s hospital to treat non-COVID-19 adult patients. At an Odessa hospital, a neonatal ICU has been turned into an adult COVID-19 ICU and the state has sent more medical personnel to expand capacity. The city of Lubbock set up two field hospitals in response to the surge.
Utah
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: May. 7
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: May. 7
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 5 (611 patients, 20 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 58.3% occupied (9.4% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 72.7% occupied (8.9% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 6 hospitals out of 59 (10.2%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 7 hospitals (11.9%)
As of Dec. 6, only 9% of Utah ICU beds remained available, and hospitals anticipate their ICUs will be at or near their maximum capacity for the next few months. To keep up with demand, hospitals have canceled elective procedures and moved around staff to provisional ICU units.
Vermont
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Mar. 31
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Dec. 30
- Date with the highest patient count: Apr. 11 (77 patients, 12 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 58.3% occupied (0.8% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 58.6% occupied (15.3% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 0 hospitals out of 17 (0.0%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 1 hospitals (5.9%)
Public health experts have lauded Vermont for its coronavirus response and efforts to provide the resources people need—like food, shelter, and hazard pay—that allow them to socially distance and stay home. The American Nurses Association's Vermont chapter and the Vermont Nurse Practitioners Association states that most health care organizations in the state are currently following evidence-based practices like allowing positive and symptomatic health care workers to quarantine for the time period required by state guidelines; allowing asymptomatic, but positive, workers to not work if working would put patients at risk; allowing workers to opt-out of working in predominantly COVID-19 settings; prioritizing personal protective equipment procurement and conservation; and providing training in risk mitigation and COVID-19 patient care.
Virginia
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 2
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 2
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 10
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 13 (2,154 patients, 26 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 68.8% occupied (11.5% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 71.5% occupied (5.3% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 30 hospitals out of 108 (27.8%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 39 hospitals (36.1%)
Some Virginia hospitals have stopped non-urgent procedures that require an in-hospital stay and shifted staff to ensure enough are available to care for COVID-19 patients. The state has adequate personal protective equipment supplies and thousands of open beds, but cases and hospitalizations are on the rise, and as of Dec. 9 state officials were considering implementing stricter coronavirus mitigation measures. Before Thanksgiving, the governor implemented targeted restrictions with a particular focus on rural areas with limited hospital capacity.
Washington
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 4
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 4
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Dec. 2
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 10 (1,177 patients, 16 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 68.0% occupied (8.0% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 73.1% occupied (7.6% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 13 hospitals out of 104 (12.5%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 20 hospitals (19.2%)
With cases on the rise and only 20% of ICU beds available statewide, on Dec. 8 Gov. Jay Inslee extended the state’s COVID-19 safety measures that limit indoor activities for another three weeks. Cassie Sauer, president of the Washington State Hospital Association, told KIRO 7 news that hospitals could make more space by using offices and conference rooms, but what they need is ICU nurses.
Washington D.C.
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 13
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 13
- Date with the highest patient count: May. 4 (447 patients, 65 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 80.0% occupied (8.1% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 82.5% occupied (3.9% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 0 hospitals out of 14 (0.0%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 0 hospitals (0.0%)
Hospitals in Washington D.C. and the surrounding area have prepared for rising hospitalizations by obtaining sufficient levels of personal protective equipment and developing strategies to tackle burnout among hospital workers. Hospitals also have COVID-19 emergency preparedness teams who have been operating since the spring and planning for possible winter surge scenarios with local health officials.
West Virginia
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 10
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 22
- Date with the highest patient count: Dec. 13 (702 patients, 38 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 73.0% occupied (12.8% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 79.6% occupied (9.6% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 17 hospitals out of 63 (27.0%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 19 hospitals (30.2%)
West Virginia hospital officials have been planning for the staff and beds they may need as the coronavirus infections rise in the coming days and possibly weeks. Hospitals across the state have cut back on or suspended elective surgeries to maximize available resources.
Wisconsin
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 11
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Apr. 11
- Date the state passed 1,000 COVID-19 patients: Oct. 14
- Date with the highest patient count: Nov. 16 (2,278 patients, 39 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 63.4% occupied (11.6% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 64.1% occupied (8.9% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 53 hospitals out of 149 (35.6%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 57 hospitals (38.3%)
Facing short-staffed hospitals, Wisconsin has waived licensing requirements to draw nurses out of retirement, and some hospitals are even offering signing bonuses. Medical staff from the U.S. Army are being deployed to work in medical centers that serve communities with the highest infection rates.
Wyoming
Hospitalization records:
- First reported COVID-19 hospitalizations: Apr. 16
- Date the state passed 100 COVID-19 patients: Oct. 26
- Date with the highest patient count: Nov. 30 (247 patients, 42 per 100,000 population)
Hospital capacity as of Dec. 13:
- Inpatient beds: 49.5% occupied (11.5% with COVID-19 patients)
- ICU beds: 42.3% occupied (22.6% with COVID-19 patients)
Hospital staffing shortages as of Dec. 13:
- Current staffing shortage: 8 hospitals out of 31 (25.8%)
- Anticipating a shortage in the next week: 7 hospitals (22.6%)
On Dec. 9, a statewide mask mandate, new rules for bars and restaurants, and restrictions on gatherings went into effect to slow spread and alleviate the pressure on hospitals. On Dec. 6, four hospitals had no available ICU beds, and at another four hospitals, only one bed remained open. State Health Officer Alexia Harrist told Oil City News that while the state had been able to secure some traveling medical personnel to help Wyoming hospitals, those staff may not be available in the coming weeks as hospitals across the country face staffing issues.
