Lack of space, staff shortages loom as COVID sets records

Sounding increasingly frustrated, several Greater Columbus hospital officials have raised the specter of hospitals running out of room and facing the inability to properly treat patients because of a shortage of doctors and nurses during the latest surge in COVID-19 cases, which set yet another record Wednesday.

The more highly contagious omicron variant is behind the spike in cases, officials said, which on Wednesday reached a new pandemic high single-day case count of 12,864. Hospitalizations across Ohio also are approaching record highs.

Five medical officials took part in live, online event Wednesday about the current health crisis, “An Urgent Appeal for Help Stopping the COVID-19