Hospitalizations attributable to COVID-19 have reached a brand new excessive this week because the virus continues to surge within the state.
There have been 3,501 sufferers hospitalized statewide on Wednesday, surpassing January’s file 3,351.
As hospitals pressure to serve their sufferers, a number of East Tennessee well being techniques urge vaccination.
“We proceed to consider that vaccination is the quickest and only means out of the pandemic,” reads a press release from Covenant Well being, which operates Cumberland Medical Middle in Crossville, and different well being care suppliers Blount Memorial Hospital, East Tennessee Youngsters’s Hospital, Sweetwater Hospital Affiliation, Tennova Healthcare and The College of Tennessee Medical Middle.
“Our hospital organizations are becoming a member of collectively to induce everybody who’s eligible to get vaccinated towards COVID-19. Throughout our well being techniques, greater than 80% of people who find themselves hospitalized attributable to COVID-19 are unvaccinated.”
Vaccine testing, medical trials and worldwide outcomes present the vaccine is protected and efficient, the well being care leaders stated. The Pfizer vaccine, a two-dose sequence of photographs, was granted full approval by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration to be used in sufferers 16 and older. It additionally has emergency approval for individuals as younger as 12.
Approval included knowledge from the section 3 medical trials, which monitored greater than half the contributors for a minimum of 4 months after their second dose.
The 2-dose Moderna vaccine has filed for full FDA approval and is presently approved for individuals 18 and older.
A one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson is permitted to be used in sufferers 18 years and older.
“It vastly reduces the chance of contracting or spreading the virus, being hospitalized or dying because of COVID-19,” the assertion continues. “It additionally considerably lowers our communities’ threat of experiencing one other viral surge. In case you are hesitant about receiving the vaccine, please focus on your issues along with your well being care supplier so you can also make an informed resolution based mostly on factual data.”
The Tennessee Division of Well being reported 826 lively instances in Cumberland County on Tuesday. Over the previous week, the county averaged a COVID-19 testing positivity fee of 28%. There have been 153 deaths of county residents for the reason that pandemic started in March 2020, with 217 residents hospitalized.
At Cumberland Medical Middle, there have been 41 sufferers both confirmed or suspected to have the virus, with 28 instances confirmed. Of these sufferers, 93% had been unvaccinated. All COVID-19 sufferers within the intensive care unit had been unvaccinated.
Covenant Well being reported 387 confirmed or suspected COVID-19 hospitalizations throughout its 9 hospitals, with 323 confirmed instances. The well being care system reported 84% of all COVID-19 sufferers had been unvaccinated and 84% of ICU sufferers had been unvaccinated. The common age of all hospitalized COVID-19 sufferers is 60, and 59 for ICU sufferers.
The hospitals famous that the surge in instances is coming at a time when hospitals are additionally going through struggles with staffing, which is decrease than when the pandemic started. A number of hospitals in East Tennessee are counting on personnel from the Tennessee Nationwide Guard to help with the staffing scarcity.
“Even with this help, as extra individuals come to our hospitals, we nonetheless have fewer well being care professionals to supply care,” the assertion continued.
The staffing scarcity and enhance in emergency instances has resulted in longer wait occasions for space emergency departments.
“Our devoted physicians and hospital staffs are working laborious to take care of COVID-19 sufferers in addition to those that are experiencing coronary heart assault, stroke, and different life-threatening diseases and situations. A major quantity of our hospitals’ present mattress capability is being utilized by COVID-19 sufferers,” the assertion stated. “All of us must do our half to forestall the escalating unfold of the virus to ensure native hospitals are right here once you want us, no matter the kind of care you want. We all know that anxieties and feelings could be excessive throughout hospital visits. We recognize your endurance and ask that you just deal with our well being care heroes with the kindness and respect they deserve.”
Hospitals encourage anybody with low-grade fever, cough or sore throat, or anybody in want of COVID-19 testing to name their major care supplier or go to an pressing care facility relatively than going to an emergency division.
People with a life-threatening sickness or severe damage are urged to hunt emergency therapy with out hesitation.
“Our collective dedication is to be there once you want us most. Be assured that our groups are working tirelessly and selflessly to offer you the care that you just want,” the assertion continued.
Different mitigation efforts the group can take embrace masks carrying and social distancing when in public.
“Once more, we strongly encourage everybody who’s eligible to be vaccinated towards COVID-19,” the assertion continues.
COVID-19 Info
Cumberland County Well being Division
1503 S. Important St.
COVID-19 Testing
Obtainable Monday-Friday
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Vaccines
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Thursday
8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
No appointment obligatory
Or, discover a supplier at vaccine.gov