HAZARD, Ky. — Appalachian Regional Healthcare has announced that deaths from COVID-19 have pushed its morgue at Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center to the brink.

A statement from Chief Medical Officer Dr. Maria Braman noted that the hospital’s morgue is now at capacity. She thanked Engle-Bowling Funeral Home in Hazard for providing space for some of the deceased. She noted that generosity is allowing the hospital to avoid using mobile morgue units at this time.

Dr. Braman’s statement also urged the public to take steps to help prevent the spread of the virus.

“Any unnecessary death is too many,” the statement said. “This morgue capacity issue is a tragic consequence of this pandemic that could easily be prevented if more people would choose to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and take other precautions to help protect themselves and limit the spread of the virus to others by wearing a mask while indoors and social distancing.”

Below is the full statement from Dr. Braman: