Cleveland Clinic Postponing Some Surgeries Due To COVID-19 Spike

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Clinic is postponing some nonessential surgeries as COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to spike in Ohio.

The hospital system said it is postponing nonessential surgeries that require an inpatient hospital stay between Nov. 13 and Nov. 16. The surgeries will be rescheduled for a later date.

"It is important to understand that our hospitals remain open to care for our community. Urgent and emergent surgeries — such as heart, cancer and neurological cases — and outpatient surgeries will continue as scheduled," the hospital system said in a statement.

The Cleveland Clinic revealed earlier this week that nearly 300 caregivers are out of action because of COVID-19. All Ohio hospitals are feeling the strain of increasing hospitalizations related to coronavirus.

"Patient and caregiver safety is our top priority, and this decision will preserve hospital beds and supplies to ensure all patients have an optimal experience. We will reevaluate our scheduled surgical cases on an ongoing basis as the pandemic continues. We are closely monitoring supplies, including PPE, bed availability and personnel," the hospital system said.

Prior to this most recent wave, the most COVID-19 patients being cared for in hospitals statewide was 1,100. As of Wednesday, there approximately 3,000 COVID-19 patients in Ohio hospitals.

Intensive care units(ICU) have been hit particularly hard. Last month, there were 240 patients in ICU spaces. There are now more than 700 Ohioans in ICUs because of coronavirus.

Cleveland Clinic officials urged Ohioans to wear masks and follow social distancing protocols amid this spike.

During a Wednesday evening address, Gov. Mike DeWine issued a new mask mandate and promised further orders restricting social gatherings and possibly shutting down some businesses.