SPRINGFIELD – The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Baystate health facilities continues to rise, with the largest number of people admitted with the disease since February 21.
As of Sunday, Baystate’s medical team is caring for 79 patients with confirmed COVID-19, 11 of whom are being treated in intensive care units. Last week, 61 people with COVID-19 were admitted to the Baystate facility, with five in intensive care units, officials said.
On February 21, Baystate reported having 85 inpatients with COVID-19. The numbers have been dropping slowly since then, with officials reporting a 51-patient drop on March 21. The number of patients thereafter began to increase.
The rate of COVID-19 infection has been increasing for several weeks, despite an increasing number of people vaccinated. The demand for doses, however, continues to exceed demand.
Last week, cases increased by 20% from the previous week and 44% from the lowest post-peak point in the week of February 28, the data show. There are currently 55 communities across the state considered to be at high risk due to increased infection rates, compared to 32 the week before.
The team at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield is caring for 68 of the patients. There is one at Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer, six at Baystate Noble in Westfield and four at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, officials said.
Related Content: