New U.S. health crisis looms as patients without COVID-19 delay care

A medical worker wears protective clothing in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of St John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, California, U.S., July 9, 2020. REUTERS/Sandra Stojanovic

(Reuters) - A Texas man who waited until his brain tumor was softball-sized; a baby who suffered an ear infection for six days; a heart patient who died: The resurgence of COVID-19 is creating another health crisis as hospitals fill and patients are fearful or unable to get non-emergency care.

With U.S. coronavirus infections reaching new heights, doctors and hospitals say they are also seeing sharp declines in patients seeking routine medical care and screenings - and a rise in those who have delayed care for so long they are far sicker than they otherwise would be.