More than 40 Texas hospitals face ICU bed shortages

More than 40 Texas hospitals face ICU bed shortages Hospitals in Texas have reported an increased number of full intensive care units (ICUs) as the delta variant of the coronavirus continues to ravage communities. Monique Beals TheHill

Hospitals in Texas have reported an increased number of full intensive care units (ICUs) as the delta variant of the coronavirus continues to ravage communities.

According to data released Monday, 42 Texas hospitals reported that their ICU beds were filled to capacity between Oct. 8 and Oct. 14.

The data is released by the federal government's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on a weekly basis and accounts for about 200 Texas hospitals that have more than four ICU patients or four staffed ICU beds. Other hospitals with smaller ICU departments also reported data to HHS.

While the number of Texas hospitals with full capacity intensive care units has declined since peaking in August, the figures are still higher than those seen during the pandemic's deadly winter surge. 

The Texas Tribune reported that some hospitals have never been more short-staffed, and doctors fear that they will soon have to make devastating decisions about who they can care for in an effort to save as many lives as possible ...