COVID-19 intensive care is filling up with patients; Mercy Springfield reports 51% died in July

[ad_1]

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – CoxHealth reports 169 hospital patients with COVID-19. And 33 of those patients are on ventilators.

Mercy Springfield reports 144 patients hospitalized with the virus and 92% of those patients are unvaccinated. Mercy has 22 patients in the intensive care unit and 20 of them are on ventilators.

Mercy’s President and COO Brent Hubbard said that as of July 1, 51% of COVID-19 ICU patients have died.

“These are COVID admissions in intensive care,” says Hubbard. “More than half die. This is a staggering figure. If that doesn’t grab your attention, I don’t know what will.

None of Mercy’s intensive care patients in August were vaccinated. So far in August, 17 people have died from COVID-19 in Mercy Springfield.

Hubbard says these statistics are concerning.

“Our numbers remain extremely high,” says Hubbard. “Again, beyond the initial outbreak of COVID in November-December. Far beyond these numbers.

CoxHealth reports that 20% of hospital patients are in critical condition. Hospital director Karen Kramer said vaccination was crucial in reducing those numbers.

“Unfortunately, people hospitalized with COVID are generally not vaccinated,” Kramer said. “Our most recent data shows that approximately 97% of our admissions for COVID pneumonia were unvaccinated. “

However, treatment is being offered at the Jordan Valley Community Health Center to help keep patients positive for the virus out of hospital. The clinic’s executive director, Alexis Brown, says it’s the monoclonal antibody infusions.

“According to the manufacturer, it has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization or death by 70%,” Brown said.

Since the infusions offered in Springfield began, Brown says 183 people have been treated. Jordan Valley is expanding the program to its clinics in Lebanon and Hollister. There is no cost to the patients who receive the infusions.

“Treatment is available for those at high risk of developing extreme symptoms of COVID-19,” Brown said.

Hubbard says the situation in Springfield hospitals is serious.

“Vaccinations are absolutely essential and this is how we can overcome the pandemic,” said Hubbard. “This is how we can also prevent the development of additional variants. “

In the past 24 hours, Mercy says four more patients have died from COVID-19.

To report a correction or typo, please send an email [email protected]

[ad_2]

Source link