As Central Oregon nears a 70% vaccination rate for those 16 and older, and the fear of COVID-19 fades, the virus continues to pose a real financial threat to the regions four hospitals.
Patients are filling hospital beds. Demand for personal protective equipment is still high. Elective surgeries are down. Hospital stays are longer and the number of deaths continue to climb.
All this affects St. Charles Health Systems financial performance and the ability of a hospital to serve the community, said…

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