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Thursday, September 23rd, 2021

Montana hospitals in ‘dire’ straits as COVID rages

Author:     Justin Franz
Source:     Montana Free Press
Publication Date:     09.17.2021
 Link: Montana hospitals in ‘dire’ straits as COVID rages
Stephan:   Montana is another state hospital system on the verge of collapse. In the Red states all over the country, the incompetent response to Covid on the part of the governors and legislatures, coupled with the Trump stimulated anti-vaxxer death cult movement is pushing health care in those state to the edge of collapse. At one level this was completely predictable and what one would expect with a Jonestown-like cult committed to mass suicide. Their deaths' are completely voluntary even sought. But the effect this is having on people who require hospitalization for other reasons it is cruel and thoughtless.
Providence St. Patrick hospital in Missoula, Montana Credit: William Campbell/Corbis/Getty

A month ago, fearing the worst, Montana’s medical community sounded the alarm, urging residents to get vaccinated and mask up as the Delta variant of COVID-19 began to spread. Now it appears the worst is arriving. 

This week, hospitals from Billings to Missoula are instituting or preparing to institute a “crisis standard of care” under which medical services and supplies are rationed. While case numbers are still slightly lower than they were last winter during the virus’ previous peak, hospitals are being overwhelmed with COVID patients, many of them unvaccinated. 

“It is really dire,” said Dr. James McKay, chief physician executive for Providence Montana, which oversees St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula and St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson. “It has never been this bad.”

According to the New York Times, the number of cases in Montana has jumped 55% in the last two weeks, the largest spike in the nation during that time. On Friday, the state reports 1,209 new cases in Montana and more than 9,500 active cases. Hot spots include Flathead, Missoula and […]

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