LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The COVID-19 pandemic has put a strain on hospitals with nurses, doctors, and other staff calling out sick.

Dr. Steve Hester the chief medical officer with Norton Healthcare says that during the peak of the pandemic they were in the 300s with people calling out with symptoms.

“We got 17,000 employees who were out in the community just like anyone else. We are going to have folks get COVID,” said Dr. Hester. "Since we went through the vaccination process we were in the hundreds of people who were calling in with symptoms and now we are down to about 9 right now,” he added.

Dr. Hester attributes the drastic dip in the numbers in Norton’s health system to the vaccine rollout. 

“I think it’s a direct relationship to the vaccine,” said Dr. Hester. "I think we saw benefits along the way with masking and social distancing but the vaccines had a real impact.”

The past year has been tough on hospital morale. Doctors and nurses have to change clothes often in their garages or other areas to lower the risk of transmission to their families. 

“Oftentimes, you see folks who went through a process of whatever they wore to work, they are changing clothes and taking a shower to not bring it home to their families. This does help from a morale standpoint,” said Dr. Hester.

Dr. Hester said the vaccines helped lift a weight off their shoulders. Norton hospitals are close to full staff and COVID-19 safeguards have helped reduce the number of severe cases that have been admitted. But, hospital staff still practices safety protocols to provide care for their patients.

“No one thinks they are completely risk-free with this and understands what goes with it. But, I think it does give a level of protection when caring for patients that we are able to protect our staff in that way,” said Dr. Hester.