(AP) — Hawai’i’s largest private hospital system’s intensive care units are functioning at or near capacity this week amid a surge of coronavirus cases on the islands. Hospital officials say the Queen’s Health Systems was canceling some elective surgeries and procedures and diverting emergency patients to other hospitals. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports the staff is being stretched thin amid frustration about unvaccinated patients. State data shows Hawaiʻi has averaged 652 new cases a day over the past week and has a 7.5% positivity rate. In early July, the state was averaging 50 cases a day. Hawaiʻi’s Department of Health director says the state is heading toward a health care crisis.
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
