By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Chuck Welch with Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System said Thursday that things are steady right now with regard to COVID-19.
"Today, we have 11 COVID patients, either currently positive or recovering and no longer contagious," Welch said. "I believe five of those are in the ICU. Several of them are still on ventilatory support of some sort. Our numbers seem to be holding pretty steady around the nine to eleven mark, which is down from earlier."
It's important to note that those who are vaccinated and end up in the hospital are not as sick.
"Unvaccinated, with this Delta variant, that end up in the hospital are much sicker," Welch said. "They go on breathing machines and respiratory apparatus much sooner. We're pleading with people, you know, to try and get vaccinated if they can."
Typically, there are about 10 unvaccinated patients that need care from Hutchinson Regional for every one that is vaccinated.
Hutch Post asked Welch if he knew of any vaccinated Hutchinson Regional patients that died of COVID-19. He said he had not personally heard of any.