A health care professional suits up to enter a COVID patient's room in the ICU at Van Wert County Hospital in Ohio on Nov. 20, 2020. Photo: Megan Jelinger/AFP via Getty Images
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced on Friday that he has mobilized 1,050 members of the National Guard to assist with COVID-related staffing issues in hospitals across the state.
Why it matters: More than 4,700 people are currently hospitalized in Ohio for COVID — equating to 1 in every 5 hospital patients, according to DeWine's office.
- "This is the highest number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 this year, and the number of hospitalized patients is rapidly approaching an all-time high."
Details: Out of the 1,050 National Guard members dispatched to hospitals, roughly 150 are highly trained medical professionals.
- The rest will take on service roles with patient transport, housekeeping and food distribution.
The big picture: Health officials have warned that with Omicron spreading across the country, hospitals will remain overwhelmed.