(CNN) As Covid-19 hospitalizations reach new highs , more states and health care systems are cutting back services that aren't urgent and relying on National Guard personnel to fill staffing gaps as infected health care employees miss work to recover and patient demand grows. In Washington state, hospitals will temporarily halt nonurgent procedures "so as much capacity and staff can be dedicated to emergent needs -- the people who need this right now," Gov. In Wisconsin, National Guard members will be trained as certified nursing assistants to support hospitals and nursing homes, Gov. "Our health care providers are beyond exhausted. Assistance needed with staffing is not limited to health care facilities.

Source: CNN January 14, 2022 13:05 UTC