Huntsville (Ala.) Hospital has 156 employees out in Madison County due to issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, local TV station WAAY reports.
Employees are sidelined because they have COVID-19, were exposed to it or are awaiting test results.
David Spillers, CEO of the 971-bed hospital, reported 202 inpatients with COVID-19 in North Alabama on Aug. 5, including 66 in intensive care units, according to WAAY.
In Madison County, Mr. Spillers reported more than 100 COVID-19 inpatients at Huntsville Hospital facilities.
Mr. Spillers told WAAY and others at a news conference that the number of inpatients puts a burden on workers, and the hospital wants to hire more nurses.
Huntsville Hospital is a regional referral center for North Alabama and Southern Tennessee. Its system includes facilities in Huntsville, Madison, Athens, Decatur, Boaz, Guntersville, Moulton, Red Bay, Sheffield, Ala., and Fayetteville, Tenn.
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