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Deaconess: Covid-19 patients filling hospital beds

Local and regional COVID-19 trends are very concerning. Deaconess is experiencing the highest volumes of COVID-19 patients to date, with multiple hospitals approaching capacity.

Yesterday, Deaconess Regional Laboratory tested more than 1,450 people — a record-high number; over the past six days, they have had more than 200 positive test results per day. As shown in the ISDH website for district 10, hospital admissions reached a new peak, with 217 patients hospitalized as of Sunday.

These increasing positive cases will likely lead to hospital capacity that is strained or could be exceeded. Currently, about 20% of local positive COVID-19 patients are requiring hospital admission; one in four hospitalized patients will require ICU care.

Hospital admissions tend to be 10-20 days after diagnosis, which means this current high number of cases will lead to large numbers of hospitalized patients in the coming weeks.

Again, these rapidly-increasing volumes of diagnosed and hospitalized Covid-19 patients are very concerning. “We are asking for support from our community to help reduce spread and overall illness by limiting gatherings to very small circles, wearing a mask and social distancing at all times while around people outside your household, getting a flu shot, and considering alternative plans for the upcoming holidays.”

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