A New York State hospital will stop giving birth later this month, in part because of employee resignations for having to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Six maternity staff members resigned from Lewis County General Hospital last week, making the lack of existing staff worse, the Watertown Daily Times reported. The department has seven other unvaccinated employees who could also decide to leave, hospital officials said.
“The number of waivers received leaves us with no choice but to stop giving birth to the baby at Lewis County General Hospital,” Executive Director Gerald Cayer said at a news conference Friday. “I expect the (state) Department of Health to work with us to stop the service instead of closing the maternity department.”
Services may also have to be reduced in five other departments if staff members resign instead of being vaccinated before the Sept. 27 deadline for health workers, authorities said.
About 165 unvaccinated employees, 73 percent of whom offer clinical services, have not yet stated their intention to stay or go, Cayer said. The county-owned health system employs about 650 people.
Cayer said 30 people have resigned since the vaccination warrant was announced last month, most of whom held clinical positions such as nurses, therapists and technicians. Thirty more people have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine, he said.
“Essential health services are not at risk because of the mandate,” Cayer said. “The mandate guarantees that we will have a healthy staff and we will not be held responsible for transmission (or cause COVID-19) inside or outside our facilities.”
The health care residence has seen a resignation, but 48 people have yet to take action, he said.
The “maternity leave” will begin on September 25th.