Hospitals filling up in San Diego

SAN DIEGO — County health officials on Friday reported 1,091 new coronavirus cases, a singleday record, while county hospitals hit 76% capacity.

The surge puts hospitals near the 80% level that could require reductions in elective procedures, according to Friday’s report. County officials have said that 20% of capacity should be preserved in case of a sudden surge in COVID-19 cases.

Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county’s public health officer, plans to meet with hospital representatives on Monday to “discuss the potential for additional action,” according to a county spokesperson.

In addition, 73% of the county’s intensive care beds were filled, according to the report.

Some hospitals are already nearing capacity. At Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, 90% of staffed beds are occupied, about half by COVID-19 patients, officials said. Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista reported an 83% occupancy rate in its ICU, with nine of 20 beds occupied by COVID-19 patients.

Dr. Andres Smith, emergency director at Sharp Chula Vista, said his team had readied an overflow tent in the hospital’s parking lot on Wednesday.

Dr. Kristi Koenig, medical director of the San Diego County Emergency Medical System, said she has seen signs of additional stress on local emergency rooms.

“I am definitely concerned with what we see right now, because we know that, with the increases in cases we have seen, it is only a matter of time before we see that translate to more hospital impact,” Koenig said.

Occupancy rates can affect those who have severe illnesses unrelated to the coronavirus, officials said.

In the spring, Wooten ordered all local hospitals to reduce non-emergency care as much as possible to make sure there was enough capacity to treat an expected wave of hospital admissions.