This post is an update on our local situation and some of the challenges we are experiencing as the number of COVID-19 cases climbs. Other communities around the country may be experiencing similar challenges now, or can anticipate and prepare for such challenges in the coming weeks. While our community had considered many of these issues, we also hoped that social distancing measures would have made a greater impact on slowing the rapidly approaching peak in new cases and new hospitalizations.
Our city now has 240 test-confirmed COVID-19 cases. Currently, only symptomatic individuals with at minimum a fever and cough are eligible for testing, as testing kits are limited. We are most certainly under-identifying COVID-19 cases. Yet, our hospital system is still quickly becoming overburdened with the cases we are identifying. Our hospitals are beginning to approach capacity.
The general escalation of the COVID-19 situation in our city, and in others around the country, has been as follows:
Hospital beds are filling up.
ICU beds are filling up even faster. They are far fewer in number and patients who need ICU attention are occupying those beds longer.
The main solution has been to re-purpose other areas of the hospital to serve as a temporary ICU. Entire floors of hospitals or entire hospitals themselves are being restricted to COVID-19 patients only as a way to reduce the chance of spread. Temporary non-COVID areas are being set up, in some cases as tents outside of hospitals. Temporary field hospitals are being set-up by the State or by FEMA as part of the federal response.
Hospital equipment and supplies are running low.
Ventilators, which serve as the primary treatment for the most severe cases of respiratory distress, are extremely limited. Personal protective equipment like masks and gowns that health care providers and hospital staff use to protect themselves and other patients are in limited supply. Testing kits are still in limited supply. Requests have been made to the State and Federal Government for additional supplies. Communities have been asked to support local hospitals through the donation of medical grade masks and gowns. The American Red Cross is requesting blood donors to address shortages (You can find out if you are eligible to donate here).
Healthcare workers themselves are in limited supply.
Long hours, a steady influx of admissions, a growing number of inpatients, and, sadly, a growing number of deaths from COVID-19 all weigh heavily on our front-line healthcare workers. In addition, should a healthcare practitioner experience symptoms and/or test positive for COVID-19, they are no longer able to treat patients and that creates a gap in staffing coverage at the hospital for an extended period of time. The shortage of providers presents one of the biggest challenges of this crisis. Cities and states are expediting the training and graduation of medical students and nursing students, allowing doctors to come out of retirement to practice, and requesting any that any licensed healthcare provider join the effort.
The same challenges extend to our first responders.
Police, fire, and EMS personnel are similarly experiencing shortages of supplies including personal protective equipment. The vast majority of reports are COVID-19 related and response to those requires proper precautions including the use of this protective gear. In addition, vehicles – police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances – and stations need to be properly cleaned at increased intervals, which requires resources and personnel. First responders, too, are falling ill with COVID-19, requiring time-off from work and creating additional stress on the emergency response system.
All of this takes a toll on our front-line workers.
This is, no doubt, a difficult time for everyone. A great amount of that burden is being carried by our healthcare workers and emergency services personnel. Lets make sure we take a moment to appreciate their selfless commitment to our health and safety. The best way we can do that is to continue to adhere to social distancing measures. Our stay-at-home directives are in place to protect them as much as they are to protect ourselves.