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Idaho Warns Hospital Rationing Likely to Expand in Crisis

Idaho Warns Hospital Rationing Likely to Expand in Crisis

Crisis rationing of hospital care in Idaho is likely to be expanded, the state’s top health official said Tuesday, as Covid-19 hospitalizations continue to set records.

“We do not see a peak in sight,” David Jeppesen, director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, said during an online news briefing.

Initial rationing of care was authorized last week for hospitals in Northern Idaho, a region known for its strong opposition to vaccinations. 

“The main messages we have out there are for folks to consider getting vaccinated,” Jeppesen said. But he acknowledged some people are “not ever going to consider” getting a vaccine.

Deaths between ages 18-49 doubled from last year and infections among babies and toddlers have been running at “record numbers,” said Kathryn Turner, deputy state epidemiologist.

©2021 Bloomberg L.P.