COVID Deaths Increase, Hospitals Reach Morgue Capacity: Report

LAKELAND, FL — Lakeland Regional Health has purchased refrigerator coolers after reaching its morgue max capacity due to the amount of COVID-19 patients they give care to every day.

As of Wednesday there were more than 400 people in Lakeland Regional Health with COVID-19; nearly 60 of them were on ventilators, WTVT reported.

"Each surge during the pandemic has caused more deaths than normal at our medical center," a written statement from the hospital obtained by the TV outlet said. "And we take the appropriate steps to properly handle the bodies of the patients who pass away. At this time during this current surge in cases, we have brought a portable refrigerated unit on campus to help to gain additional capacity."

The medical facility did not mention where the new coolers have been placed or what is the maximum number of bodies the morgue contains.

In addition, AdventHealth campuses in Polk County are expanding their morgue capacities with refrigerator coolers, WFLA reported.