ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Citing a "dramatic increase" in COVID-19 cases, BJC Healthcare announced Sunday that it will begin suspending some elective surgeries and procedures for at least eight weeks, starting Monday.
Senior Vice-President and Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Clay Dunagan explained the decision in a video, saying, "We're taking this drastic step in order to increase hospital capacity and ensure we have the staff we need to continue to deliver excellent care to the patients we serve."
BJC has 15 hospitals in the greater St. Louis area, including Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children's Hospital in downtown.
Dunagan says the system supports restrictions in St. Louis City and County, that limit inside dining and large gatherings. "I know this is hard," he says, "it's exhausting all of us. But, these are the things we need to do to protect the community against coronavirus and they will save lives."
He says the system is taking the step, to support its healthcare workers.





