Local virus surge forces hospital to seek extra staff
Humboldt County’s hospitals are experiencing an increase in hospitalizations as the highly infectious COVID-19 delta variant continues to circulate throughout the community.
Christian Hill, a spokesperson for Providence Health Care in Humboldt County, the Eureka medical center has had as many as 27 patients who were confirmed positive for COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, Redwood Memorial Hospital has averaged two patients, Hill said.
“Like hospitals across the country, St. Joseph Hospital is experiencing (an) escalation in hospitalizations due to COVID-19. … Today we have 24 inpatients and four patients in the emergency department undergoing evaluation,” Hill said Friday afternoon of the situation at St. Joseph Hospital. “Our ICU currently has seven COVID positive patients (and) three on a ventilator.”
The influx of patients at local hospitals has left the county with only eight intensive care unit beds available, according to state COVID-19 dashboard’s ICU bed data.
Humboldt County has a total of 27 ICU beds.
Hill stated St. Joseph is ready to increase its ICU bed count.
“We are prepared to expand the ICU capacity from 12 beds to 19 beds but will need additional staff for this expansion and have been in contact with Public Health officials and CDPH to try to get additional staff,” he said.
The 14-day average for COVID-19 ICU hospitalizations as of Aug. 20 is 7.9 patients, while the 14-day average for total COVID-19 hospitalizations is 27.3 patients.
Aug. 20 state data recorded 27 Covid-19-related hospitalizations and 10 cases under ICU care. Aug. 12, there were recordhigh 33 patients in the hospital for COVID-19, according to state data.
Humboldt County has 276 total licensed beds. The current 14-day average COVID-19 hospitalization count accounts for nearly 10% of total licensed beds taken up by confirmed cases.
At the moment, there is enough staff at the hospital to handle current patients, Hill says.
“Despite the high demand for care, our clinical teams are delivering exceptional care to all of our patients, including those with COVID-19,” Hill remarked. “We are adequately staffed at present.”
Humboldt County is not the only rural county in Northern California hit hard by the delta variant-related surge in cases.
Calmatters reports sharp spikes in infections and low vaccination rates have led Del Norte, Tuolumne, Lake, Nevada and Mendocino counties to report a similar large jump in hospitalizations, even exceeding winter surge hospitalization rates.
In neighboring Del Norte County, there are currently has no available ICU beds since Wednesday according to the state dashboard, with eight of the county’s beds being taken up by COVID-19 patients. Aug. 20 data shows 20 cases being treated locally, nearly four times more than the past high mark of six hospitalizations recorded on Feb. 21.
Crescent City’s Sutter Coast Hospital, the only hospital in Del Norte County, is canceling nonemergency surgeries, restricting visits and requesting additional staffing from the state Emergency Management Services Agency.
“Current case levels are driving some of the highest surge levels to date, requiring emergency response efforts,” Sutter Coast hospital CEO Mitch Hanna said at a Del Norte County Board of Supervisors meeting last week.
Amador, Placer and Shasta counties are experiencing similar numbers of hospitalized COVID-19 patients compared to the expected winter surge period.
Hill underscored the importance of vaccinations in protecting the community.
“We continue to encourage our community to get vaccinated. Every measure to protect vulnerable Californians is a step to save lives and prevent further virus spread. It’s vital that we do all we can to protect our patients and those who care for them from this deadly virus,” he said.
Humboldt County reported 91 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, for a total case count of 6,427 since the start of the pandemic. The county also recorded two deaths, both in their 60s. The total death toll of COVID-19 in the county stands at 61.
“Like hospitals across the country, St. Joseph Hospital is experiencing (an) escalation in hospitalizations due to COVID-19. … Today we have 24 inpatients and four patients in the emergency department undergoing evaluation. Our ICU currently has seven COVID positive patients (and) three on a ventilator.” — Christian Hill