Albeit not to the extent they were a year ago, Pa. hospitals are again dealing with a surge of COVID-19 cases. Critical care unit beds are becoming scarce, filled primarily with unvaccinated residents, reports James McGinnis for the Bucks County Courier Times.

Statewide data for this week show 19 percent of all hospital beds occupied with Coronavirus patients. That status — a rise from just 2 percent in June — is according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services statistics.

The New York Times confirmed the rising numbers. It reported an average of 270 new daily Bucks County cases, a 51 percent increase compared to the two weeks prior.

Since the start of the pandemic, at least 1 in 8 residents have been infected by COVID-19, totaling 81,450 recognized cases.

Those cases are again beginning to tax resources at local healthcare centers.

The Quakertown site of St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) reports 44 of its 54 critical care beds currently filled with a COVID-19 patient.

Most frustrating for medical personnel is that the backslide was preventable.

“Sadly, the current surge was avoidable.” Said Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, SLUHN Vice President of Medical and Academic Affairs. “It is being driven by people who chose not to be vaccinated.”

More on the statewide COVID-19 surge is at the Bucks County Courier Times.