Health leaders say they’re fearful of rising COVID-19 cases statewide that continue to break daily records.
On Wednesday, the state health department reported 91 new hospitalizations and 27 deaths, both daily highs in the pandemic.
“The public needs to understand we’re entering in a different phase of the pandemic,” said Wisconsin Medical Society CEO Dr. Bud Chumbley. “I know that the hospitals have staffing problems because they have to quarantine people that have been exposed or have gotten sick with COVID.”
Some hospitals have been forced to wait-list or transfer patients, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Dr. Chumbley says the problem could be compounded by the looming flu season.
“[It could] cause a shortage of hospital beds, ICU beds, medical staff and support staff,” he said.
The state has 1,933 immediate beds available.
As of now, there are 21,004 active cases. 99,925 people have recovered from the virus.
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