The surge of coronavirus patients at Newman Regional Health has not developed as hospital officials feared.
CEO Bob Wright and other hospital administrators have been bracing for a sharp spike in patients needing isolation, but that hasn’t happened. Wright had details on the latest installment of the KVOE-Newman Regional Health COVID-19 community Briefing on Friday:
Wright says there are several reasons or potential reasons for that trend, including demographics, the prospect of a milder virus strain as opposed to the East Coast and social distancing practices. Wright says mask use has also helped, although that will “never be 100 percent.”
With numbers in the COVID Care Unit generally holding steady, Wright also announced plans to further reopen normal operations at the hospital. The state’s Phase One recovery process underway since Monday lets hospitals begin outpatient elective surgeries based on staffing, bed space and the availability of personal protective equipment. Wright says the hospital is “in good shape” with its PPE, so it has started scheduling elective procedures and deferred outpatient procedures. In cases of surgeries, patients need to get a COVID-19 test 72 hours before their procedure and then self-quarantine until the day of surgery. Virtual visits will no longer be offered effective June 1.
Wright closed the program by honoring staff as National Nurses Week ends Monday and National Hospitals Week started Saturday.
Wright also thanked the community for recognizing the work of hospital employees.
The next COVID-19 Community Briefing takes place at 10:06 am Friday on 14 KVOE, 96.9 FM and KVOE-TV at KVOE.com.
