The Minneapolis Star Tribune featured a heartfelt plea from medical professionals.

The state of Minnesota is currently in the midst of another COVID-19 surge. According to case trackers operated by the New York Times, the state has seen a 15% increase in cases over the last two weeks, as well as a 10% increase in COVID-related hospitalizations. Approximately 98.7% of the ICU beds in all of Minnesota are currently occupied, with about 40% of those occupations being COVID-19 cases. Only about 64% of Minnesota’s eligible population is fully vaccinated against the disease, and local medical professionals desperately need that number to go up.

Over the weekend, a coalition of Minnesota medical professionals purchased a full-page ad in the Minneapolis Star Tribune with a clear message for all readers: get vaccinated.

“We’re heartbroken. We’re overwhelmed,” the ad reads. “Our doctors, nurses, and people working in health care are doing everything we can to take care of you when you’re sick. And yet every day, we’re seeing avoidable illness and death as a direct result of COVID-19.”

The uptick in COVID cases is making it more difficult for hospitals to conduct routine business and address other emergency situations, which in turn is leading to more deaths, be they COVID-related or not.

Healthcare workers across Minnesota are doing everything they can to keep you safe. But they are heartbroken. They are overwhelmed. That’s why our healthcare leaders have come together to ask you, please, do your part. Read our full statement here. ➡️ https://t.co/Q4Y4GUuBfg pic.twitter.com/Xa4P0esDvQ

— M Health Fairview (@MHealthFairview) December 13, 2021

“At any time, you or a loved one might need our support. Heart attacks. Car accidents. Cancer. Stroke. Appendicitis. Now, an ominous question looms: will you be able to get care from your local community hospital without delay? Today, that’s uncertain,” the doctors wrote.

“How does this happen in 2021 — almost two full years since this deadly pandemic began? How can we as a society stand by and watch people die when a simple shot could prevent a life-threatening illness?” the doctors added. “Your access to health care is being seriously threatened by COVID-19. We need to stop the spread!”