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Stress Of Delta Variant Uptick Felt Inside The Hospital

uknow.uky.edu

The uptick in coronavirus cases is putting some caregivers in a more stressful situation.  Much of the increase during July has been attributed to the Delta variant of the virus.

Kim Blanton is chief nursing officer at University of Kentucky hospital, with oversight of the infection, prevention, and control program.  Blanton said increased transmission causes more anxiety among the general public and within healthcare.  “In general, the U.S. is, right?  But, when you think about the health care worker who’s here every day trying to deal with the ins-and-outs of the pandemic, plus also managing and do the best they can to care for people, I believe they are exhausted,” said Blanton. 

The hospitalization numbers at UK now are nowhere near an earlier peak period.  One day in December saw 91 positive COVID patients and another 27 coronavirus patients still receiving care.  Blanton said the in-patient COVID patient count now hovers between 18 and 25 and Friday eight patients were being cared for but no longer testing positive.

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