CLEVELAND — *Editor's Note: The video in the player above is from a previous report.
Cleveland Clinic is preparing residents in Northeastern Ohio for one of the most significant COVID-19 waves to come in the next several weeks.
“We all must stay vigilant against this virus,” said Cleveland Clinic officials in a statement released Monday. “Our highest volumes of COVID-19 patients will come in the next several weeks, as this wave peaks in northern Ohio.”
Per the statement, Cleveland Clinic is currently experiencing its highest number of COVID-19 patients since last winter. According to the statistics, nearly 135 patients out of 460 are in ICU.
Within the past month, the number of hospitalizations has doubled, with many of the admitted patients being unvaccinated.
Cleveland Clinic is urging community members to receive their COVID-19 vaccination to protect them against severe hospitalizations.
Like many other healthcare institutions, Cleveland Clinic is facing staffing challenges and an increase in demand for medical services.
Due to the shortage in staffing, there have been longer than expected wait times. Cleveland Clinic has been working alongside Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, and Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital to manage capacity and move patients to different facilities if needed. Many of the locations are also scheduling fewer nonessential surgeries that require an overnight stay.
Even with their challenges, Cleveland Clinic mentioned that they are still committed to serving the needs of the Northeastern Ohio community.
“Despite these challenges, we remain committed to meeting the needs of the communities we serve. Essential and urgent inpatient surgeries — including heart, cancer, pediatrics, transplantation and neurological cases — will continue as scheduled.”
The official statement from the Cleveland Clinic newsroom can be found here.
*Editor's Note: The video in the player above is from a previous report.