Deaths from COVID are increasing; extension of treatment

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – Following an increase in COVID-19-related deaths, Phoebe Putney Health System is expanding its capacity to deliver treatments to better fight the coronavirus.

Tuesday morning, here are Phoebe’s COVID-19 numbers:

• Total COVID-19 Patients at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital – 148
• Total COVID-19 Patients at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center – 31
• Total COVID-19 Patients at Phoebe Worth Medical Center – 4
• Total inpatients recovered – 2,712
• Total number of positive deaths at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital – 324
• Total Positive Deaths of Phoebe Sumter – 80
• Total vaccines administered – 60,720

“We learned early in the pandemic that a peak in hospitalizations for COVID is usually followed by a peak in death two to three weeks later. Unfortunately, that is what we are seeing now. Since Friday alone, we have lost 24 patients, including nine yesterday. We mourn these families and ask our community to keep them and our care teams in your prayers, ”said Scott Steiner, President and CEO of Phoebe Putney Health System.

“We continue to be in the midst of a dangerous wave of COVID. We should all take steps to minimize the spread – get vaccinated, wear masks, and avoid close contact with others. Anyone who tests positive should self-isolate to avoid spreading the virus and consider receiving treatment with monoclonal antibodies. ”

This week, Phoebe’s work crews are setting up a temporary COVID advanced care clinic across from Phoebe’s main emergency center and adjacent to the community care clinic. Once the modular units are ready in a few days, they will be used as an additional location for monoclonal antibody infusion therapy, according to the hospital system.

Phoebe is also exploring options for a temporary COVID advanced care clinic at Phoebe Sumter to serve the Americus area.

“Since January, we have provided this treatment to approximately 1,400 COVID patients, and 98% of them have avoided hospitalization for COVID,” said Dr. Dianna Grant, Chief Health System Physician Phoebe Putney. “We still want people to get vaccinated to try and avoid getting the virus, but this treatment does a great job of preventing serious illnesses in those who get COVID, whether or not they’ve been vaccinated.”

From Phoebe on monoclonal antibody therapy:

The hospital system said Clayton and Marsha Powell received the treatment at Phoebe North on Friday. The Camilla couple started to feel bad last Tuesday.

“On Wednesday we had full symptoms of headaches, coughs and congestion,” Marsha said.

After receiving positive tests, they were able to quickly make an appointment for antibody therapy.

“The nurse here has been great – already feel like people at home,” Clayton said. “They just walked us through it, and it was okay.”

Within 24 hours, the hospital system said they were both feeling better.

“We are so happy to have arrived so quickly and to have received the infusion that made us feel so much better, mentally and physically,” Marsha said Tuesday. “Our main symptom now is just a small weakness, but we are on the mend. Clayton cut the grass yesterday, and we’re picking okra and raising okra today. We are doing much better.

The Powells also have a message for all healthcare workers caring for COVID patients as the pandemic continues.

“I want to thank Phoebe’s nurses. They put their lives at risk every day for patients like us who have tested positive. It’s scary. I know it scares them, but they just come and do a great job, ”Marsha said.

Patients with a positive COVID test may be referred for monoclonal antibody infusion therapy by a physician, or they may begin a self-referral process by calling (229) 312-MYMD. It’s the same phone number people can use to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment at Phoebe’s facility.

Copyright 2021 WALB. All rights reserved.