Lacking ICU Beds, Rondônia State Calls for Help to Transfer Covid-19 Patients

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On Saturday, January 23rd, the government of Rondônia began to ask for help to transfer Coovid-19 patients to other Federal hospitals after reaching 100% ICU bed occupancy.

The state registers 42 people waiting for intensive care unit hospitalization, according to the Health Secretariat.

The call for help was made by the Rondônia Health Secretary Fernando Máximo, to CONASS, the state Health Secretariats Council, and to the Ministry of Health to transport the patients.

According to Carlos Lula, CONASS’ chairman, the situation has worsened because many residents of neighboring state Amazonas have traveled to Rondônia in search of assistance.

Manaus, the capital of Amazonas, is experiencing a health crisis due to lack of oxygen and has also transferred patients to other locations. The capital of Amazonas is affected by an oxygen shortage, unable to assist patients during the surge of hospitalizations due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.