Medical Arts Hospital (MAH) physician Dr. Anthony Gipson said combatting COVID-19 is not like it was last year, but the problems associated with the virus are still around. With cases of COVID-19 increasing in Dawson County, medical staff are facing long hours with little hope of the state providing additional nurses in the future. The hospital relied on federal relief funds and state supplied medical personnel during the first year of the pandemic. MAH is not alone. Other West Texas medical facilities, along with out-of-state hospitals that once accepted transfer patients, are shutting their doors after hitting patient capacity. “These days, I’m staying almost ...