'A dire situation:' Oklahoma hospitals resume reporting capacity amid omicron wave of COVID-19

Oklahoma hospitals relaunched their reporting of hospitalization numbers amid climbing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, another sign of the omicron variant’s increasing burden on the health care system.

The four health systems — Integris Health, Mercy, SSM Health and OU Health — first began reporting their own bed counts in August, as the delta variant quickly sent hospitalizations climbing, straining hospitals.

They ended their regular updates in mid-October as the delta wave began to subside, saying they hoped the state would never see another COVID-19 surge. The reports resumed Friday to “provide the public with a window into the seriousness of the situation," the health systems said.

More: While omicron symptoms are mild for some, COVID is again overwhelming OKC hospital staff, ERs

In Friday's report, all four health systems reported having zero open ICU beds.

“The omicron variant has created a dire situation for Oklahoma health care providers, already strained by two years of caring for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic,” they said in a joint statement.

The hospitals will report new figures by 1 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until the surge subsides at okchospitalreport.com.

Here are the latest counts of COVID-19 patients and bed availability at each of the health systems:

• SSM Health St. Anthony: 184 COVID-19 patients in SSM Health St. Anthony hospitals. Zero ICU beds were available. About 90% of its hospitalized COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated, according to the health system.

• OU Health: Across all three of its hospitals, including Oklahoma Children's Hospital OU Health, there were 129 COVID-19 patients. Zero ICU beds were available.

• Mercy: In Mercy hospitals across Oklahoma, there were 99 COVID-19 patients, about 55% of which were unvaccinated. Zero ICU beds were available.

• Integris Health: Across its hospitals, there were 273 COVID-19 patients. Zero ICU beds were available. About 70% of the health system's COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated.

In addition to the increase in COVID-19 admissions, hospitals have seen their emergency departments overwhelmed with people seeking COVID-19 testing, even with mild symptoms.

COVID testing: Where can I get a COVID-19 test in and around Oklahoma City?

Health leaders have asked Oklahomans to reserve the emergency room for true emergencies and to seek other available testing options.

"Please help us flatten the curve by taking part in proven mitigation efforts – get vaccinated, wear a mask, watch your distance and wash your hands," the health systems said Friday.

To find a vaccination appointment near you, visit vaccines.gov to search by ZIP code.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma hospitals resume reporting capacity amid omicron COVID wave