‘A very critical time’: Rockford has 2 ICU beds available as COVID numbers rise

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The city’s three hospitals have two intensive care unit beds available as patients with the coronavirus are maxing out hospital resources.

Hospitals in the city were treating 219 patients with coronavirus as of Monday, an increase of 17% from 187 a week ago, Winnebago County Public Health Administrator Sandra Martell said. Of those patients, 45 are in intensive care units.

“Our hospitals are completely full. Our health care workers are absolutely exhausted,” Mayor Tom McNamara said Monday during a news conference.

Related: Winnebago County Board chairman was paralyzed during COVID battle, still recovering

Martell said hospitals are operating under crisis standards of care, meaning they often must alter routine procedures or postpone surgeries that aren’t critical.

“Resources are not unlimited. We are hitting a very critical time where resources are very limited in our community,” Martell said.  “If we are going to be serious about coming through the other side of the pandemic — not only just surviving but thriving in the 815 region — we need to come together as a community.”

Martell, along with McNamara, Winnebago County Board Chairman Joe Chiarelli and Police Chief Carla Redd, used the news conference to again urge community members to get vaccinated. About 55% of Winnebago County residents are fully vaccinated, according to health department stats.

The shortage of available ICU beds means hospitals would be forced to make decisions about transferring a patient or making other arrangements if there is more need for intensive care.

“All the sudden, instead of providing care they’re worrying more about arranging for care,” Martell said.

McNamara said the shortage of ICU beds should illustrate how important it is to get vaccinated.

“Let’s just also hope that you’re not in an accident. Let’s just hope a loved one doesn’t have a heart procedure that’s needed immediately,” he said. “Let’s just hope you don’t need any medical care, nor do any of your loved ones.”

The county reported an additional 1,493 cases of the coronavirus from Saturday through Monday, with an average age of 31 for those who test positive. It also reported five additional deaths of people ages 49 to 96.

Since the start of the pandemic the county has confirmed more than 60,750 cases of the coronavirus, including 686 deaths, according to Illinois Department of Public Health data.

Martell said omicron – the latest variant that has been driving new cases across the country – is not the dominant variant here yet. Delta is still the biggest driver of new cases and hospitalizations, she said.

“We’re very concerned that when omicron becomes the dominant variant will there be room? Will we have the capacity to care for everyone who’s needed?” Martell said. “We are at a very critical time and we need our community’s support.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.