COVID-19: Why were some hospitals in NYC overwhelmed but not others?

ICYMI, I recently came across an NYT article that revealed some facts that are frankly shocking.

“At Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, hundreds of Covid-19 patients arrived in need of more help than besieged medical workers could give. Patients were found dead in rooms. One medical resident described conditions as ‘apocalyptic.’

Yet at the same time, 3,500 beds were free in other New York hospitals, some no more than 20 minutes from Elmhurst, according to state records. The city, which runs Elmhurst, had a fleet of 26 new ambulances available to transfer patients.

‘It wasn’t the problem that every hospital was full,’ said Gareth Rhodes, a Cuomo aide. ‘It was a problem that a handful of hospitals were nearing capacity, while hospitals within a 15- mile-to-20 mile radius had plenty of space.’

Why weren’t patients moved sooner from Elmhurst, with room available elsewhere?

‘It’s a fair question that makes sense,’ said Matthew Siegler, executive vice president of the Health & Hospitals Corporation, the public agency that runs the city hospitals.

… ‘The issue at Elmhurst was not one of capacity,’ said Dani Lever, the governor’s communication director, noting that there were thousands of free beds in the city, including within Health & Hospitals’ own network. ‘It was a patient management issue.'”

Link below:

One Hospital Was Besieged by the Virus. Nearby Was ‘Plenty of Space.’
Even as Elmhurst faced “apocalyptic” conditions, 3,500 beds were free in other New York hospitals, some no more than 20 minutes away.