Skip to main content

Ballad halting elective procedures amid COVID-19 surge

By The Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A health system serving a swath of the central Appalachian mountains says it will halt nonemergency elective procedures due to surging cases of COVID-19 and capacity concerns at its Virginia and Tennessee hospitals.

Ballad Health officials announced the change Wednesday at a news conference. It will take effect Monday and last for at least 30 days.

Ballad CEO Alan Levine also announced that the system has one refrigerated morgue truck at a Tennessee hospital and has ordered a second one for a different hospital.

Ballad has been pleading with community members for months to follow basic public health measure to stop the spread of the virus.

Md. vaccine policy ‘will be led by science’: New law decouples guidance from federal agencies

By Neal Augenstein
As of July 1, Maryland will determine which vaccines should be administered, severing its reliance on federal agencies, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Vax Act, signed Tuesday by Gov. Wes Moore, authorizes Maryland's health secretary to set recommendations for immunizations, screenings and preventive services. It also requires insurance companies to cover vaccines endorsed by the state.
Read Next Story

Related Stories

COVID Deaths
Coronavirus
More than 150,000 uncounted COVID-19 deaths occurred early in the pandemic, a study finds
March 18, 2026
COVID Deaths

More than 150,000 uncounted COVID-19 deaths occurred early in the pandemic, a study finds

New COVID Shots

Va. Department of Health issues order to ease COVID-19 vaccine access, as federal guidance shifts

COVID 5 Years

Study suggests women are at greater risk of developing long COVID-19

Coronavirus PCR test

Virus that causes COVID widespread in wildlife, Virginia Tech researchers say

Virus Outbreak Biden Rebound

Summer COVID cases rise in DC area, local health expert pushes for vaccinations as Biden tests positive