WISCONSIN—  There is a dire situation in Wisconsin when it comes to available hospital beds. Right now 97% of ICU beds are full as COVID-19 cases continue to climb.

What You Need To Know

  • Wisconsin asked federal government to help staff hospitals/nursing homes

  • ICU bed occupancy is highest it's ever been at 97% full

  • Hospital systems are working together to share capacity and best practices 

 

Wisconsin Hospital Association numbers show more than 1,600 COVID-19 patients are in 136 hospitals across the state. There are more than 1,300 ICU beds in Wisconsin but as of Dec. 9 only 39 are open. If you live in the Fox Valley there are no ICU beds available right now. 

President and CEO of the Medical College of Wisconsin, Dr. John Raymond, called the situation in the state "difficult." He said ICU bed occupancy is the highest it's ever been. 

"That places tremendous stress not only on the hospital facilities but also on the staff," Raymond said.

He also said more than 93% of all the beds in the state are occupied. Raymond said it's not just from COVID-19 cases but also pent up demand for other health care services. 

"When the hospitals get this full, it becomes difficult for us to handle emergencies, mass casualty events or even small things that normally we would be able to accomodate," he said.

Raymond mentioned health systems across Wisconsin are working closely with each other to share capacity and best practices.  

Wisconsin requested federal help to shore up staffing in hospitals and nursing homes. 

"Washington can provide teams of health care providers and other folks that can provide support services but maybe not directly interact with patients," he said.

He mentioned there is limited capacity for the federal government to be able to mobilize the personnel to help us out. 

"We did, in Wisconsin, have three teams come here last November and December to help out," Raymond said. 

He said those teams were mostly in central Wisconsin.

"When the federal goverment sends personnel they are very useful and they're very helpful but probably not going to be enough," Raymond said.

Right now the delta variant is driving the uptick in positive cases in Wisconsin. Raymond said he wants everyone to be mindful of that as we continue to celebrate the holiday season.