Rising numbers of kids and adults with COVID are in-patients

Two Prisma Health physicians started their comments this afternoon with increasing numbers of COVID-19 patients in the hospitals across the system—a system that includes Oconee Memorial.  And eight out of every ten in-patients have not been vaccinated.  Dr. Steve Shelton of Prisma Health in the Midlands said the system counted 438 COVID-19 patients.  That compares to 85 on December 1.  Dr. Caughman Taylor, medical director for the children’s hospitals, said of the 4 Prisma Health children’s hospitals, there are 37 children with COVID.  All of the 37 eligible to have received the vaccine have not.  Both Shelton and Taylor vow that, although the virus, has somewhat stretched the capability to care for those infected, Prisma Health nonetheless is positioned to provide the best care possible.  They continue to urge the unvaccinated to get vaccinated and, eventually, boosted as ways to keep down the rising rates.