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WEYMOUTH, MA — The ongoing coronavirus pandemic shows few signs of abating, with new U.S. cases averaging more than 200,000 a day during the week ending Jan. 18 and new deaths averaging more than 1,400 a day.
The still-growing caseload has placed an unprecedented strain on the nation's hospital system, which in many areas is hard put to keep up with an influx of new patients. New data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows just how great that strain has become on hospitals in Norfolk County.
The figures are current through Thursday, Jan. 14.
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Health experts have said that the share of each hospital's beds devoted to coronavirus is key to understanding the strain on its resources. A share greater than 10 percent is said to be a cause of concern. When that share exceeds 20 percent, a hospital is said to be under extreme stress, and as the share approaches 50 percent the stress is said to be immense.