While there are no plans among Butler Health System officials to limit elective surgeries or adjust the visitor policy at Butler Memorial Hospital, the current COVID-19 surge is causing stress.

“The biggest challenge now is dealing with staff who are sick with COVID or in quarantine,” said Dr. David Rottinghaus, chief medical officer.

He said the current surge in cases and hospital admissions is the result of holiday gatherings over the past few weeks.

“Gathering and not social distancing lead inevitably to the spread of respiratory viruses like COVID,” Rottinghaus said. “Colder weather and being indoors also contributes.”

He said overall census numbers for all departments have increased at the health system, but especially in the area of COVID testing.

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