BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) – With most of Alabama’s population still not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, health officials say hospitals are dealing with an influx of patients as the highly contagious omicron variant takes hold.
Its emergency department overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients and normal health problems including trauma injuries and heart attacks, UAB Health in Birmingham issued what it called an “urgent” request late Tuesday for people to go elsewhere for COVID-19 tests or minor symptoms, or to simply stay home for all but true emergencies.
Dr. Bobby Lewis, vice chair for clinical operations with UAB’s emergency department, said part of the problem is Alabama’s relatively poor vaccination rate, which is the nation’s second-lowest behind Idaho. Less than 48% of Alabama’s population is fully protected.
“It’s catching up. No doubt about it,” he said in an interview Wednesday.
Earlier this week, Huntsville Hospital temporarily halted inpatient elective surgeries. More than 300 employees were unable to work because of quarantine or isolation requirements, it said in an announcement Monday, and nearly 200 people were being treated for COVID-19 at the system’s facilities.