December 21, 2021 By Carol Britton Meyer
Gov. Charlie Baker announced today additional measures to combat the recent rise in the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the state, including an indoor mask advisory and a call for the National Guard to assist with non-clinical support needs of hospitals.
The reason behind these measures is to help ensure that acute care hospitals have enough capacity to care for both COVID and non-COVID patients, according to a press release issued by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
"The Commonwealth's healthcare system is facing a critical staffing shortage which has contributed to the loss of approximately 500 medical/surgical and ICU hospital beds since the beginning of the year," according to the press release. "Hospitals are also seeing a high level of patients, many due to non-COVID-related reasons."
These measures include:
- Mask advisory -- a recommendation that all residents, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks or face coverings in indoor public settings, especially individuals who have a weakened immune system or someone in their household; are at increased risk for severe disease because of age or an underlying medical condition; or who are unvaccinated
- Up to 500 active members of the National Guard will assist with non-clinical support needs of hospitals and transport systems;
- Starting Dec. 27, all Massachusetts hospitals are to postpone or cancel all non-essential elective procedures likely to result in inpatient admission "in order to maintain and increase inpatient capacity."
Patients are reminded to "still seek necessary care at their hospital or from their healthcare provider."
The governor also said that "getting a vaccine and booster remain the best way to protect against serious illness or hospitalization from COVID."
Massachusetts Department of Public Health updated data this week indicates that 97 percent of COVID breakthrough cases in the state "have not resulted in hospitalization or death" and claims that unvaccinated individuals are more at risk.
According to statistics, more than 94 percent of eligible Massachusetts residents have received at least one dose, and 74 percent of the entire population is fully vaccinated.