Hospital system counts 94 COVID-19 patients

Here’s an announcement from Prisma Health, parent company of the Oconee Memorial Hopspital:  “Prisma Health has successfully cared for hundreds of COVID-19 patients in its physician practices, emergency departments, outpatient departments and inpatient units. As of June 8, system-wide Prisma Health had 94 patients hospitalized who were confirmed with COVID-19 and an additional 11 patients hospitalized with suspected COVID-19, slightly above the earlier highest number on April 3 of 90 confirmed and 29 suspected patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

‘We view this as a rolling wave of the pandemic, with hospitalized patient numbers that will ebb and flow over time,” said Scott Sasser, MD, incident commander over Prisma Health’s COVID-19 response and a national leader in emergency medicine and community response. “Even though we’ve experienced a recent increase in the number of COVID-19 patients being treated during the past several days, rest assured we are well-prepared and equipped to care for COVID-19 patients and also have plenty of inpatient capacity across Prisma Health hospitals to accommodate all patients safely.’

 

In the Upstate, Prisma Health North Greenville Hospital has remained a dedicated facility for the care of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients since March, and has helped give Prisma Health additional capacity as needed.

 

COVID-19 community testing is a priority for Prisma Health. In collaboration with S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Prisma Health continues to focus on reaching populations who may not otherwise have access to traditional testing or online virtual visits.

 

Since early May, Prisma Health has provided community testing for approximately 5,000 people in 20 locations. Scheduling continues through June, including partnering with DHEC on two large, COVID-19 community screening events coming up – Greenville Convention Center in Greenville June 8-13, and Benedict College in Columbia June 19 – 20.

 

Overall, as of June 2, 2020, Prisma Health has tested 31,043 patients with a 9.4% positive rate (inpatient, drive-through, community testing).

 

‘Our COVID-19 response is well underway,” Sasser said. “We also want to make sure that members of our community do not delay needed healthcare at this time.  Delaying preventative care, care for chronic diseases, or care for emergencies such as heart or stroke symptoms can have serious health consequences.’

 

Prisma Health has safely returned to surgeries and procedures and reopened outpatient facilities, as well as increased patient access through the virtual, digital platform – by phone, video visit or online consultation.

 

‘Everyone at Prisma Health continues to rise to the occasion to serve our community and our patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. We are very proud of our 30,000 team members and the extraordinary work they do every day for our patients and our communities,’ Sasser added.

 

‘As communities, businesses, parks, beaches and other areas continue re-opening, we need to remember that the coronavirus is still in our community,”’Sasser said.

 

Please continue the good public-health initiatives that help blunt the impact of COVID-19:

 

·         Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

·         Cover coughs and sneezes

·         Maintain at least six feet between you and others

·         Stay home when sick

·         Protect the vulnerable – older adults, those with co-morbid illness or those who are immunocompromised.

 

Additional precautions are especially important for those vulnerable populations at higher risk, which include those over age 65, those with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and lung conditions and compromised immune systems. These individuals should continue to stay at home and avoid close contact with others, and keep away from people who are sick.”