IUH-BMH operating at 115% capacity; more than a third of patients have COVID-19

Muncie’s IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital is still slammed by unvaccinated persons coming down with COVID-19 and needing care — sometimes intensive care.

IU Health Ball reported Monday an overall census of 266 adult patients.  The hosptial’s capacity is 232 – that means Muncie’s hospital is operating at 115% of capacity.

Just over a third of the hospital’s patients – 87 in all — are being treated for COVID-19.  Of those 87, 23 are in the ICU and almost all of those in intensive care are unvaccinated.  20 of the 87 COVID patients are under the age of 50.

The overloaded hospital staff, being aided by the National Guard, implores the public to get vaccinated and boosted, use masks even if vaccinated, wash hands and social distance – fearing the worst of a post holidays surge.