Health officials continue to warn against large indoor gatherings and to push for Odessans to get vaccinated against COVID.
During a Tuesday Zoom COVID call with Medical Center Hospital and Odessa Regional Medical Center, officials detailed lower numbers than last week.
ORMC Chief of Staff Dr. Rohith Saravanan and MCH Chief Nursing Officer Christin Abbott Timmons reported the lower COVID patient numbers, but reminded Odessans that even with the dip in inpatients that the numbers remain significant.
Timmons said MCH had 89 total COVID patients in-house with 35 in critical care and of those 35 there were 33 on ventilators. Timmons said MCH also had 18 staff out. She said the drop off from last week’s more than 100 patients was good news and also an uptick in those seeking vaccines is good news.
MCH’s Procare clinic on 42nd Street will be closed temporarily beginning Sept. 13 so that those resources can be reallocated to the Procares at JBS and on the west side. “We will have more open hours to serve more who are ill or who are seeking a vaccine,” she said of the coming temporary closure.
“Boosters will be rolled out soon and we are still encouraging everyone to get the first and second vaccine.”
She said the regeneron clinics are still bringing in 50 to 70 patients a day.
“If you are positive don’t wait,” Timmons said. “Get in front of a provider and get a referral so there is early intervention.”
Timmons also thanked St. Mary’s Central Catholic School for a gift of uplifting cards for the MCH staff. “Thank you so much.”
Saravanan said ORMC had 27 COVID patients with 18 in ICU and seven of those on ventilators. He said 42 percent of those are under age 50 and 90 percent are unvaccinated. “Put this disease behind us by getting vaccinated.”
