The chief medical officer for IU Health South Central Region says IU health’s area hospitals are at a critical juncture in treating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Dan Handel says the most recent surge has put the hospitals at capacity.
“We’re full…this current surge is the highest we’ve seen so far in the pandemic," he said.
Handel said he’s concerned there will be an additional spike from Christmas gatherings. He says infections usually come five days or so after exposure, which suggests the effects could be seen this week.
“In the next day or two, we’re really worried that things might start getting worse before they get better," he said.
He said IU Health has been vaccinating as many health-care workers as possible. But that’s not enough.
“Even as people start getting vaccinated, we need people to keep with it, keep with the social distancing, keep with the universal masking," Handel said.
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