Hospitals and clinics across the metro see increased demand and wait times

Hospitals and clinics across the metro are seeing a triple threat: RSV, influenza and COVID 19…which means an increase in demand and wait times.

Data from the Minnesota Department of Health shows that hospital bed availability was as low as 2% in parts of the state last week for adult intensive care units.

At Hennepin Healthcare, they are adjusting and starting to hold more appointments for “day of” patients to accommodate the cases. The health system also sent out an email to patients over the weekend reminding them that in some cases, managing your illness at home can be the best option if the symptoms are mild.

“Runny nose, a cough, the first couple days of a fever… a lot of that can be managed from home and we can provide guidance on how to do that,” said Dr. Krishnan Subrahmanian with Hennepin Healthcare.

“Our system and many systems have flexed to find capacity for the kids in need,” he said.