COVID-19 sidelines hospital workers as patient numbers rise

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH
Associated Press

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — One of Kansas’ largest hospitals is straining to treat an influx of COVID-19 patients even as the surging virus sidelines hundreds of doctors and nurses. Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer at University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, Kansas, says Monday that at the University of Kansas Hospital more than 500 employees out of a staff of more than 13,000 are sick or awaiting test results. The illnesses come as the hospital is treating 108 COVID-19 patients, up from 40 on Dec. 1. He says vaccination would have prevented all but a handful of the COVID-19 patients from being hospitalized, freeing up beds for other patients.