The U.S. has nearly 400,000 fewer workers in nursing and residential-care facilities than it did before the pandemic.

There are signs enrollment in nursing schools has picked up, just as nurses are leaving the profession.

As smaller hospitals try to find beds, large medical facilities in some areas are straining to find the staff to handle patients in need of high-level care.

With COVID-19 cases rising, at least a few hospitals in almost every state are dealing with critical staffing shortages, including nurses and custodians.

The practice by some hospitals is raising concerns about equity.

In a recent survey of health care workers, 93% said they were experiencing elevated levels of stress.

About 6 million people have gotten a first dose, short of the government’s goal to vaccinate 20 million by the end of 2020.

California has a lower than average number of hospital beds by design, but COVID-19 is challenging the system.

The pandemic continues to surge, and more medical professionals themselves are catching the virus.

There were anecdotal reports of disrupted operations at various hospitals.