RI Hospitals Near Capacity Due To Staffing Shortages

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island's hospitals are running out of capacity, though it's not for the reason you's initially think. Staffing shortages are leading to reduced capacity at facilities across the state, Gov. Dan McKee said Thursday. leading to concerns as coronavirus cases climb.

As of Dec. 6, 2020, there were 494 people in the hospital with COVID-19. On Monday, that number was 226. However, due to trouble staffing facilities, there aren't enough people to staff beds.

"In many ways, they were able to manage the 500 patients better than now, so it's not a COVID-19 issue," McKee said. "What's drawing concern now isn't infection rates, it's staffing."

To help maintain capacity at hospitals, McKee reminded Rhode Islanders to seek health care in the right setting, only going to the emergency room in the case of actual emergencies.

Related: Another Indoor Mask Mandate Be On The Way For RI: What To Know

McKee said state leaders are working to find solutions, including asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency for additional workers and considering supplementing hospital staff with members of the National Guard.

The shortage comes as Rhode Island faces a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases, which has led to a gradual increase in hospitalizations, as well. Over the past week, the number of cases per 100,000 rose by 250, while the weekly percent positivity rate climbed to 5.2 percent.

"It's still not time to panic," McKee said, adding that the best this Rhode Islanders can do to avoid a surge like that of last winter is to get vaccinated, get a booster if they are eligible and wear a mask in crowded indoor settings.