Butler doctors seeing major surge in COVID-19 patients plead for people to follow guidelines

BUTLER, Pa. — Doctors at Butler Health System are seeing a major surge in COVID-19 cases.

30 people are in the hospital as of Wednesday with the virus. Doctors report half a dozen of those patients are in the ICU with at least three on ventilators. Over the weekend there was four people who died from the virus.

“I get it, we’re all tired of it but if you were to go into that hospital right now and witness what’s going on, the staff is so dedicated to the care of these individuals that the loss of any life is taken very hard by them,” Dr. Elliot Smith told Channel 11.

Smith said he’s walked the halls of the ICU at Butler Health System and said this week has been the worst since the pandemic began.

“The hospital is picking up in volume. We are seeing patients presenting very sick,” he said.

The hospital is not at max capacity, but it is treating more than two dozen patients currently. After the more than eight months since the virus has been in the area, Smith said he and the staff remain dedicated, but that it will take everyone doing their part to stop the spread.

Pa. reports highest daily COVID-19 increase for second day in a row with over 4,700

Cox Media Group