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Kentucky hospital pushed to its limits as lawmakers extend state of
emergency due to Covid-19 surge
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/09/us/kentucky-hospital-overwhelmed-covid/index.html
(CNN)Vera Middleton wishes she had gotten the Covid-19 vaccine.
The 66-year-old great-grandmother from Olive Hill, Kentucky, said she
and her husband discussed the vaccine, but kept putting it off and
ultimately decided against it. She couldn't explain why.
Middleton spoke with CNN on Wednesday as she received a high flow of
oxygen, saying she believes she got Covid-19 from her granddaughter who
got sick. The virus then spread to everyone in her home.
Middleton is doing better now, and is now encouraging her family --
along with others -- to get a shot. She cried speaking with CNN
Wednesday, explaining that she thought she would die if she had to be
put on a ventilator. Through tears, she also thanked the medical staff profusely and explained how supportive her church was during her time of
need.
"With the grace of God, he is who brought me here. God has brought me
where I am right now, and I praise him," she said in her hospital bed
through tears, adding that she hopes the message people get from her
story is not to get the vaccine, but to know "there's a God, and without
him I would not be here today."
Sentiments like Middleton's are common in Appalachia -- a region that
runs from southern New York to northern Alabama and Georgia -- where
many people either do not believe in or are hesitant to get vaccinated, according to medical professionals who spoke to CNN.
Because of this hesitancy, Covid-19 has run rampant in Kentucky, where
nearly all of the state's 120 counties are in the "red" Covid-19 zone
and hospitals on the brink of being overwhelmed, according to Gov. Andy Beshear.
As of Wednesday, about 49.5% of the state's population is fully
vaccinated, according to a CNN data analysis.
One hospital is 130% above capacity
One such hospital, St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead, about
65 miles east of Lexington, is one of the hardest-hit due to the influx
of Covid-19 patients. It's the largest health care facility serving 11
counties in rural northeastern Kentucky and is currently at 130% above capacity, according to St. Claire Health Care CEO Donald Lloyd.
"I think this is a surge of fear now and these people are afraid of a
vaccine that could save their lives -- and that's why they're in the
hospital now," said Dr. William Melah, the chief medical officer for St.
Claire Health Care.
About 85% to 88% of patients are unvaccinated, Melah said.
"It's like we're at a war with this virus," said Courtney Hollingsworth,
a Covid-19 ICU nurse at St. Claire. "We're not at war with each other
whether, you know, your beliefs and those things, it's truly a war with
this virus."
[continue . . . . . ]
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/09/us/kentucky-hospital-overwhelmed-covid/index.html
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