Louisiana’s well being division says solely 20 ICU beds have been accessible on the Northshore on Thursday.
COVINGTON, La. — Hospital leaders on the Northshore are pleading with residents to gradual the unfold of the coronavirus as the present trajectory of COVID-19 instances within the area threatens to overwhelm healthcare capability.
The Louisiana Division of Well being reviews that 2,001 COVID-19 sufferers have been hospitalized throughout the state as of Thursday, together with 246 sufferers in well being area 9 which embody the Northshore. Each of these numbers are greater than peaks seen in April 2020 simply weeks after the virus was first detected within the state.
Knowledge from the state well being division exhibits that solely 20 intensive care unit beds – roughly 12 p.c of the Northshore area’s complete – have been accessible as of Thursday.
“Results from gatherings over Christmas and New 12 months’s Eve are beginning to are available—the numbers are proving it,” stated Hiral Patel, CEO of Lakeview Regional Medical Middle. “We now have to be extra vigilant transferring ahead, giving our healthcare staff a break.”
North Oaks Well being System CEO Michele Kidd Sutton stated that Northshore hospitals have sufficient mattress capability, gear, and employees assets to handle an inflow of COVID-19 sufferers for now.
“However that might change if we keep on the present trajectory,” Kidd Sutton stated. “This is the reason we’re asking the general public to remain vigilant with common precautions to assist gradual the unfold.”
“Everybody must do their half to cease the unfold,” stated Rene J. Ragas, President of Our Girl of Angels Hospital.
Nevertheless, the group urged the general public to not delay accessing wanted healthcare, whether or not COVID-19 associated or not.
“Every of our amenities stands able to serve,” stated Joan M. Coffman, CEO of St. Tammany Well being System. “Don’t ignore signs or delay wanted care out of concern associated to COVID.”
As of Friday, practically 31,000 individuals in Louisiana have been totally vaccinated towards COVID-19. Almost 140,000 others have obtained their first doses of the vaccine.
“As quickly as you qualify, schedule your vaccination,” stated John Herman, CEO Ochsner Well being-Northshore Area. “The earlier we attain 70% of our inhabitants, the earlier we will see an finish to this worldwide pandemic.”
Vaccines are presently accessible, by appointment to the next people:
- Individuals ages 70 years or older in the neighborhood,
- Outpatient clinic suppliers and clinic employees,
- Pressing care clinic suppliers and employees,
- Group care clinic suppliers and employees,
- Behavioral well being suppliers and employees,
- Dialysis suppliers and sufferers,
- Residence well being service suppliers and recipients,
- Dental suppliers and employees, and
- College students, residents, college and employees of allied well being faculties (if not already receiving vaccine or in a plan to obtain from their respective faculties)
“Sufferers ought to check with the Louisiana Department of Health website for data on how and the place to get the vaccine,” stated Sandy Badinger, CEO of Slidell Memorial Hospital & Ochsner Medical Middle – Northshore. “This may be troublesome for a few of our older residents, and we encourage relations to help them within the course of.”
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