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Hospital still busy, but COVID-19 cases down

The Maui News

Maui Memorial Medical Center officials on Friday reported having 34 COVID-19 patients, which is less than the high of 40 on Monday but still “way more” than they are used to.

There were six COVID patients in the intensive care unit with two on a ventilator. Of the 34 patients, more than 70 percent are younger than 60, which the hospital said is “a significant jump” from 10 days ago where those younger than 60 years only made up 50 percent of the COVID cases.

At Maui County’s news conference Friday afternoon, Maui Health Chief Medical Director Dr. Michael Shea said 30 of the patients are unvaccinated and four are vaccinated. Of the 34 patients, one is a visitor and the rest are residents, Shea added.

“Right now we are OK, (but) we are not far from the cliff,” Shea said in terms of the hospital handling the surge. “We are asking you to take responsibility.”

He urged people to follow the guidelines, such as wearing a mask and not gathering outside their households, otherwise the hospital system will be overwhelmed with more cases.

“By the time the patient gets to me, they’re struggling to breathe,” said Lydia Brandes, a registered nurse in Maui Memorial’s ICU for 20 years. “This virus is so frustrating, it’s invisible, yet devastating. Imagine having to think about breathing, having to use every muscle and effort in your body to try and get some air into your lungs. Nothing else matters, but air, not eating, drinking, moving, using the restroom — nothing, but air.”

“This virus is scary, and unlike anything we’ve seen,” Brandes added in a news release Friday. “We must do everything we can to stop the spread.”

Maui Memorial’s vaccine clinic is now offering a third dose to immunocompromised eligible individuals. Vaccine clinic hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Fridays. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information, visit www.mauihealth .org/covidvaccine.

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