Nueces County hospitals suffer nursing shortages due to increased cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant
Every staffed hospital bed in all hospitals in Corpus Christi, Victoria, Kingsville, Beeville, and San Antonio are full, according to an announcement by Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales the week of Aug. 2. The shortage is actually in nurses, she said. Beds are available but have no personnel to staff them.
“I have reached out to state officials at Texas Division of Emergency Management and the Department of State Health Services and will be making an official request for assistance as soon as possible,” Canales said.
The shortage might not be an easy fix. Shortages are being reported across the state and nation. Many nurses left the workforce during the pandemic, some due to burnout from the workload, others due to specialty providers that went out of business during the pandemic shutdown.
“I would ask that, in this time of crisis, all nurses who are able and not currently working step up and contact our hospitals to help out,” Canales said. “We truly need your help. Our community is facing an enormous challenge, and nurses have always risen to the challenge.”
If you are a nurse and want to see how you can help, contact the Nueces County Volunteer Help Line at 859-396-8204.
