Hospitals in Los Angeles county are experiencing a great surge in patients. According to the county’s public health department, on Nov. 1, the three-day average number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 was 791. On Jan. 7, the three-day average increased to 8,098. Hospitals are accepting more patients than they can discharge. This is causing a huge strain on the emergency medical system, leading to a crisis.
As of Jan. 8, the county hasn’t planned to announce a crisis, which could trigger the triage process. But four public hospitals in Los Angeles are now starting to consider rationing care, letting triage officers decide which patient could get access to resources such as ventilators, respiratory therapists, and critical care nurses.
On Jan. 7, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti called on national leaders to help bring more vaccines and resources to Los Angeles.
