New York hospital maternity ward closes due to unvaccinated paramedics

A hospital in New York State plans to stop delivering at the end of this month because too many maternity ward workers quit after refusing to vaccinate against COVID-19, reports MassLive.

Lewis County Health System CEO Gerald R. Kayer announced at a press conference that this hospital's maternity ward will be closed from September 25 until they find enough vaccinated nurses to keep patients safe. Forum Daily New York previously reported on the reasons for the refusal of doctors from the vaccine.

Kayer told reporters in Lowville that seven of the 30 people who left the hospital worked in the maternity ward.

Another seven maternity hospital workers did not say if they would receive their first vaccine by September 27. The date is the state's deadline for health workers to get at least one vaccine. If these seven employees have not received the vaccine by that time, they will also be suspended from work.

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Kayer told reporters that Lewis County Health System has a vaccine rate higher than the national average. 464 out of 650 employees, or 73 percent, received the vaccine at the hospital.

But there are also 165 employees who have not yet shared their decision with hospital management. Medical services in five other departments may also need to be cut if more staff members leave.

“It's just a crazy time,” said Kayer. “It's not just the Lewis County health care system. Everywhere in rural areas, hospitals cannot figure out how to deal with the new demands. ”

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“How can you provide services if you have no staff?” Added Kayer.

Lewis County Health System is one of only two county-owned hospitals that remain in New York State. She is the largest employer in the county.