Idaho | September 1, 2021
Idaho Governor Reactivates National Guard to Assist Hospitals Amid COVID-19 Surge
Idaho | September 1, 2021
Idaho Gov. Brad Little announced on Tuesday that has reactivated the National Guard and has directed up to 370 additional personnel to support state hospitals amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the state.
The Republican governor said in a news release on Tuesday that just four intensive care unit beds out of nearly 400 were available on Tuesday in the entire state, adding that there are more COVID-19 patients in ICU beds in Idaho “than ever before. The vast majority of them are unvaccinated.”
“Where hospitals have converted other spaces to be used as contingency ICU beds, those are filling up too,” Little said.
“We are dangerously close to activating statewide crisis standards of care—a historic step that means Idahoans in need of healthcare could receive a lesser standard of care or may be turned away altogether,” the governor added. “In essence, someone would have to decide who can be treated and who cannot. This affects all of us, not just patients with COVID-19.”
As part of Tuesday’s order, 370 personnel will be deployed statewide, including up to 150 guardsmen to “support short-staffed medical facilities.” They will be tasked with logistical support such as screenings, lab work, and other duties, the governor said… (Excerpts from the Epoch Times)