Olmsted County Covid-19 hospitalizations at highest level of pandemic

This latest wave of Covid-19 cases is putting a strain on area hospitals.

Olmsted County is now averaging about 14 new hospitalizations per day, according to data from the CDC, up from 10 a day in mid-November.

The number of Covid patients with serious illness has also been on the rise in recent weeks — with nearly one in four ICU beds in the county being used by a Covid patient, the highest level since the pandemic started.

Percent of Covid-19 patients in the ICU / Via the CDC

Mayo Clinic, which is now treating approximately 100 Covid patients a day at its Rochester campus, says the surge has led to its ICUs filling up. (Statewide, ICUs are at a pandemic-high of 98 percent capacity.)

The Clinic estimates that of the patients infected with Covid-19 who have been in the ICU over the past few weeks, the number of unvaccinated patients is five to six times higher than vaccinated patients.

“Covid-19 continues to be a public health threat with cases rising nationwide, and the best line of defense is getting a vaccination and booster, if people are eligible,” said Mayo spokesperson Kelley Luckstein. “The Covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective in preventing severe Covid-19 illness and related hospitalizations and death.”

According to Olmsted County Public Health, 12 people have died in Olmsted County due to Covid-19 since Nov. 1 of this year.

Follow these links for the latest updates from Mayo Clinic and the CDC.