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Arkansas Hospitals, Healthcare Workers Cope With Record COVID-19 Hospitalizations

Lines of cars with people being tested for COVID-19 stream through a garage at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences on July 13, 2020.
Michael Hibblen
/
KUAR News

As Arkansas continues to see record numbers of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, the state's healthcare system is feeling the strain. 

An additional eight Arkansans were hospitalized with COVID-19 Wednesday, for a near-record total of 1,362. That also includes 255 total patients who are on a ventilator, an increase of four on Wednesday. 

Reporter Dave Ramsey with the Arkansas Nonprofit News Network has been tracking the state's hospital bed capacity since the most recent surge in COVID-19 cases began in late summer. He spoke with KUAR News about the steps hospitals have taken in response to the rising caseload, like increasing patient-nurse ratios, expanding bed space and transferring patients to other facilities. 

You can find more reporting on hospital capacity in the state on the Arkansas Nonprofit News Network website

Daniel Breen is News Director of Little Rock Public Radio.
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