The numbers continue to rise, but the average daily rate increased by only about 100 cases a day from 265 to 363. What I hope this means is that vaccinations are preventing a precipitous rise that we saw with previous surges. Personally, I’ve had a rise in phone calls of people learning that they have been exposed. People who have been exposed need to quarantine if they haven’t been vaccinated, but those who have been vaccinated do not. These are the present recommendations and subject to change, of course. Vaccinated people who are exposed do not need to be tested unless they develop symptoms.
Hospital cases continue to rise. I could tell this before the Methodist System circulated their numbers today. It had been very difficult to get a bed at any of the hospitals for patients that need to be admitted. Hospitalized patients in the Methodist System have risen three fold in the past month. Here are some excerpts from today’s update:
“Methodist Healthcare continues to see an increasing number of patients requiring hospitalization for COVID-19. MHS has 152 COVID positive patients under our care including 44 COVID patients in the ICU. This is nearly triple the number of COVID patients since 6/22 when we were caring for 52 patients.
COVID Updates:
- COVID Admissions
With the increase in COVID admissions, MHS is now admitting COVID patients to all MHS facilities. The delta variant is on the rise and likely well over 50% in our community. At present it appears that the vaccines provide excellent protection against hospitalization and death from the delta variant. However, vaccinated individuals may be infected and display no symptoms or minimal symptoms. Current vaccines are highly effective against the delta variant – assuming a vaccinated person has received both recommended doses.
- Update to MHS Visitor Policy
With the increase in COVID infections in our community, MHS is re-implementing our one-visitor per patient policy. We will continue our current process of passive screening of visitors with a sign and with active acknowledgement of the sign at every point of entry. More info
Reminder: Monoclonal Antibody Treatment
Monoclonal antibody treatment continues to be available under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Intended use includes outpatient treatment of mild to moderate positive COVID-19 adult and pediatric patients who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19/or hospitalization. The drug will be administered in an outpatient setting with a one-hour infusion time and a one-hour observation period following the infusion.
