WORCESTER, Mass. - A constant worry for UMass Memorial Health leaders came true on Wednesday.

The hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) maxed out. UMass Memorial Health is the largest hospital system in Central Massachusetts. They have 144 ICU beds and about 150 patients in need of critical care.

Twenty-two of the beds in the unit are taken up by patients battling COVID-19. UMass Memorial Health President and CEO, Dr. Eric Dickson, said the bed shortage is the result of a combination of things. Dr. Dickson cited a lack of hospital beds in the area, an increase in COVID-19 cases and bed closures at Saint Vincent Hospital

Dr. Dickson said they can still care for critical patients. The hospital has started treating patients in other locations, including the emergency room and post surgery rooms.

"After that we have to look to stop doing operations  that will require ICU care. Transferring patients to other facilities if we can find ICU beds," Dr. Dickson said. "We do have a plan to get us up to 200 ICU beds. We have the staff to do that but right now it is a really critical situation."

Saint Vincent Hospital said they are unable to open 111 of its hospital beds because of the strike and staffing shortages. Twelve of those beds are in the progressive care unit where the hospital treats critical patients.