Paris, Tenn.–Henry County Medical Center CEO Lisa Casteel has provided an update on the COVID-19 situation at the hospital. Here are some highlights from her video presentation, which can be found on the HCMC website, YouTube Channel, and other social media sites:
COVID-19: As was the case two weeks ago when Casteel issued a statement on the status of the hospital as it pertains to COVID-19, HCMC remains in “crisis mode.” She said the hospital’s status is “emergent and overwhelmed.”
She explained that there were several factors contributing to the current crisis: (1) Service availability is reduced; (2) elective and high-risk surgeries are on hold; (3) there are no beds available for transfer; (4) ER wait times are increased because the unit is being used to board COVID-19 patients.
“We are seeing more COVID-19 patients now than at any time during the entire pandemic,” said Casteel. “Today (as of Sept. 3) we have 23 COVID-19 positive patients and our ER volume ranges anywhere from 60-85 patients per day. And, one in four of the patients coming to our ER are COVID-19 patients.”
VACCINCATION: Henry County currently has 43% of the population with a first dose and 37% at second dose of the vaccine. She noted that HCMC offers free vaccine clinics each Friday at the hospital. Moderna vaccines are given from 8-10 a.m. and the Pfizer vaccine is given from 2-4 p.m. at the hospital’s lower level.
Casteel urged community members to consult the HCMC social media sites, the hospital website (www.hcmc-tn.org) for more information, as well as consulting their primary care providers.
“Lastly, September is Suicide Prevention Month and we are releasing valuable information in the coming weeks about behavioral health,” Casteel explained.
To watch the video in its entirety, you can click here: https://youtu.be/rOaUwjiLLaA
For more information call 731-644-3463 or go online at www.hcmc-tn.org.