Idaho is seeing its largest coronavirus spike since the pandemic began, with new cases increasing by 46.5% over the past two weeks.
Some health care experts are urging the state’s governor to take additional action to slow the spread of the virus.
Dr. Bart Hill, a vice president with St. Luke’s Regional Health System, says Idaho’s current approach hasn’t worked to change the pandemic’s trajectory.
On Wednesday, officials with Kootenai Health, in the northern part of Idaho, said it’s close to reaching capacity.
Usually, the hospital could turn to Spokane hospitals, but health officials said they are not taking additional patients right now, which could lead to patients being sent to other cities like Seattle.
As cases increase, it is driving Kootenai Health to the brink, reaching a capacity of 99% for people needing medical or surgical care.