Idaho sends National Guard troops to hospitals in 'last resort' to avoid state Covid emergencies
Idaho Governor Brad Little has activated National Guard troops to support staff in hospitals flooded with Covid-19 patients, warning that facilities with dwindling intensive care units may soon turn the infected away.
“We are dangerously close to activating nationwide crisis standards for care - a historic step that means Idahoans in need of health care may receive a lower standard of care or may be completely rejected,” he said. said the Republican governor Tuesday in a announcement announces the new Guard deployment and adds: “On a daily call to hospitals this morning, we heard that there are only four adult ICU beds available in the entire state."
This affects all of us, not just patients with Covid-19.
On a daily call to the hospitals this morning, we heard that there are only four adult ICU beds available in the entire state, out of close to 400. https://t.co/BPXh9nK1sd
- Brad Little (@GovernorLittle) August 31, 2021
While Idaho only settled a former National Guard mission last month - which involved about 300 people in a Covid task force that helped distribute protective equipment and help hospitals - the new deployment will see up to 150 guards “Support short-staffed medical facilities” including with “Logistical support such as screenings, laboratory work and other tasks."
A 20-member Pentagon response team will also be sent to northern Idaho, where officials say vaccination rates are among the lowest in the state, while another 200 doctors will be made available as needed throughout Idaho.
“Idaho hospitals are limitless. Our healthcare system is designed to handle the realities of everyday life. Our healthcare system is NOT designed to withstand the prolonged strain caused by an unbridled global pandemic. ” A little went on. “It’s simply not sustainable."
It noted the state government “almost all” of Idaho’s hospitals are “Overwhelmed” says there are more patients on intensive care than ever before and “The vast majority of them are unvaccinated." Referring to the increasingly overcrowded ICUs, Governor Little requested that nationals be vaccinated.
Choose to receive the vaccine now to support your other Idahoans who need you.
About 39% of Idaho’s 1.8 million residents have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, while 44% have received a dose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While the state experienced a downturn in new infections after a large increase last winter, it has seen an increase since July and reported a steady increase in cases and admissions.
Do you think your friends would be interested? Share this story!