On Monday, Gov. Ralph Northam issued a limited state of emergency for hospitals stretched dangerously thin amid historic surges in coronavirus caseloads.
The 30 days state of emergency was issued to expand the number of available hospital beds, increase staffing capacity at hospitals and nursing homes, and allow public health agencies greater flexibility in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The limited duration is based on modeling that suggests the virus will peak in the next few weeks.
Governor Northam said “Health care workers and hospitals are exhausted, and they are again facing increasing numbers of patients, affecting their ability to provide care,” he added “These steps will help ease the strain, giving medical professionals more flexibility to care for people. Ultimately, the best thing everyone can do for our hospitals and their staff is to get vaccinated.”
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Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin (R), who takes office Saturday, could rescind the emergency order, but Northam expects it to have his support.
“The governor has spoken with the governor-elect, and we’re hopeful he will keep this in place for the full 30 days or as long as necessary,” Northam spokeswoman Alena Yarmosky said Monday. “It’s very important given the fact that the transition’s taking place.”
Before the announcement was made the Virginia College of Emergency Physicians had called on the doctors to declare a state of emergency due to the overwhelming number of patients being admitted to emergency departments.
‘That gives us more options’: Va. emergency doctors call on Governor for state of emergency
“We thank Governor Northam and his team for this critical action, which should provide necessary relief to emergency departments and hospitals statewide,” the VACEP said on Monday afternoon. “The declaration highlights the important role ERs play as a safety net for all people every day. We also encourage Virginians to use one of the many new community testing sites statewide if you are in need of a COVID-19 test, as emergency departments only have a limited supply and test only high-risk, symptomatic patients.”
Northam is encouraging everyone to follow the following easy steps to help:
- Expand the number of available hospital beds
- Increase staffing capacity at hospitals and nursing homes
- Allows providers with an active out-of-state license to practice in Virginia
- Authorizes experienced Physician Assistants to practice without a written supervisory agreement
- Increases provider-to-patient ratios
- Provides certain liability protections to health care workers who act in good faith to protect patients
- Allow public health agencies greater flexibility in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic
Sources: Breaking 911, Governor Virginia, Washington Post, NBC 12, NBC 29
