Akron's Summa Health Suspending Elective Surgeries Due To COVID-19

Akron-based Summa Health is planning to suspend elective surgeries for most procedures beginning Dec. 1.

Hospital officials did not specify which exact procedures would be halted, or which would continue in a statement sent to members of the news media, but they attributed the move to rising COVID-19 cases.

"Most elective procedures in the areas of Surgical Services, Cardiology, Endoscopy and Interventional Radiology will stop," Summa officials said in the statement.

Summa Health is currently treating approximately 140 COVID patients on the Akron and Barberton campuses.

"Given the number of people who chose to come together for Thanksgiving and the anticipated gatherings leading up to the December holidays, this number is expected to grow significantly and we must now begin to reallocate our resources to inpatient care," officials said.

The decision does not impact emergency departments. Outpatient centers and Summa Health Medical Group offices will also remain open.

Summit County, like many others in Northeast Ohio, is also under a stay-at-home advisory due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The advisory began  Nov. 19 and ends Dec. 16, according to a Summit County Public Health news release.

Residents are asked to only leave home for essential reasons, including work, school, or visiting the doctor.