Report: ICU availability in Southern California at 0-percent
–LA Times reports–
The availability of intensive care unit beds throughout Southern California hit 0% Thursday, and officials warned that conditions in hospitals are expected to erode further if the coronavirus continues to spread unchecked, the LA Times reports.
“With ICUs filled, hospitals will step up measures to ensure the sickest patients still get the highest levels of care possible. That often means moving some patients who would typically be in the intensive care unit to other areas of the hospital, such as a recovery area, or keeping them in the emergency room for longer than normal.”
“The patients are still getting intensive care, and that strategy can work to a point. But eventually, there may be too many critically ill patients for the limited numbers of ICU doctors and nurses available, leading to greater chances of patients not getting the specialized care they need. And that can lead to increases in mortality.”
“Once ICU beds are full, hospitals go into surge mode, which can accommodate 20% over usual capacity. Officials have also been training medical personnel who work elsewhere in hospitals to allow them to work in ICUs, and seeking nurses from outside the United States.”
Read the full story at the Los Angeles Times
ICU patients with COVID-19 in Southern California region
- Los Angeles – 1,035
- Orange County – 343
- San Diego County – 295
- San Bernardino County – 285
- Riverside County – 216
- Ventura County – 63
- Imperial County – 38
- Santa Barbara County – 24
- San Luis Obispo County – 9
- Inyo County – 2
- Mono County – 0
Source: CDPH Hospitalization Data Dashboard
See more information on county cases at CovidActNow.org.