Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Aug 29, 2024 2:08:03 GMT
Local hospitals adjust to surge in COVID cases: What you need to know - Published Aug 28, 2024
MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Local hospitals are seeing a increase in COVID-19 cases as the summer heat drives more people indoors and schools are back in session. Dr. Benjamin Estrada, Director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease at USA Health University Hospital noted a significant rise in pediatric cases over the past six weeks, with numbers climbing from just a few cases each week to nearly 60.
“Now we have treatments,” explained Dr. Estrada. “We have different types of tests that we can provide patients with.”
Though this wave is milder compared to previous years, health experts anticipate these smaller surges will become the new normal, potentially occurring every six months.
Dr. Kevin Michaels from the Mobile County Health Department shared that the increase in COVID cases is also something they’re also monitoring.
“Five to 6% of all ER visits are related to some COVID-like illness,” said Dr. Michaels.
However, he noted that these figures don’t include results for at home COVID tests.
Mobile Infirmary is also witnessing a rise in cases, with numbers nearly doubling over the last month.
“We also isolate all of the patients using the higher strength masks — the n95 masks. When we enter those rooms, we’re wearing isolation equipment,” explained Mobile Infirmary’s Chief Medical Informatics Officer, Dr. Daren Scroggie.
Springhill Medical Center has reported a smaller increase, with just six COVID patients as of Tuesday.
As the region braces for what could be a challenging fall, health officials are urging the community to stay cautious.
“We try to target our immunization strategies to get people’s boosters in in the next month or so. So beginning of September to October is the best time to get your flu shots and your covid shot, to get those boosters in,” Dr. Scroggie adds.
“Most importantly, if you feel that your child is sick, please do not send them to school. Have them evaluated by a physician. It could be COVID-19. It could be other virus. we’re also seeing a significant increase of respiratory viruses that we see in the summer,” advises Dr. Estrada.
MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Local hospitals are seeing a increase in COVID-19 cases as the summer heat drives more people indoors and schools are back in session. Dr. Benjamin Estrada, Director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease at USA Health University Hospital noted a significant rise in pediatric cases over the past six weeks, with numbers climbing from just a few cases each week to nearly 60.
“Now we have treatments,” explained Dr. Estrada. “We have different types of tests that we can provide patients with.”
Though this wave is milder compared to previous years, health experts anticipate these smaller surges will become the new normal, potentially occurring every six months.
Dr. Kevin Michaels from the Mobile County Health Department shared that the increase in COVID cases is also something they’re also monitoring.
“Five to 6% of all ER visits are related to some COVID-like illness,” said Dr. Michaels.
However, he noted that these figures don’t include results for at home COVID tests.
Mobile Infirmary is also witnessing a rise in cases, with numbers nearly doubling over the last month.
“We also isolate all of the patients using the higher strength masks — the n95 masks. When we enter those rooms, we’re wearing isolation equipment,” explained Mobile Infirmary’s Chief Medical Informatics Officer, Dr. Daren Scroggie.
Springhill Medical Center has reported a smaller increase, with just six COVID patients as of Tuesday.
As the region braces for what could be a challenging fall, health officials are urging the community to stay cautious.
“We try to target our immunization strategies to get people’s boosters in in the next month or so. So beginning of September to October is the best time to get your flu shots and your covid shot, to get those boosters in,” Dr. Scroggie adds.
“Most importantly, if you feel that your child is sick, please do not send them to school. Have them evaluated by a physician. It could be COVID-19. It could be other virus. we’re also seeing a significant increase of respiratory viruses that we see in the summer,” advises Dr. Estrada.