Surgery schedules around the country may be washed out for several more weeks while a crucial IV and sterile fluids factory remains closed after a hurricane-related shutdown.

IV fluids from as far away as China are being imported to the U.S. to alleviate nationwide shortages stemming from hurricane damage to a key manufacturing plant in North Carolina. Why it matters: Hospitals now have 50% more IV fluid available to them than immediately after Hurricane Helene swamped Baxter International's North Cove manufacturing site in Marion,

Health care providers are grappling with a shortage of IV fluids as the nation's largest supplier continues to recover from Hurricane Helene.