To start the final week of August, Medical Center Health System has triple digit COVID-19 patients in house.
MCHS President/CEO Russell Tippin said during Monday’s Zoom press conference that he hasn’t seen a leveling off point, let alone a decline in COVID patients.
About an hour prior to the Zoom call, MCHS reported 101 COVID patients in house with 48 in critical care and 44 on ventilators. Tippin said the age range of in house patients is 16 to 88.
“I wouldn’t even call it a level off yet,” said Tippin, who opened the press conference stating there are 2,143 active cases in Ector County. “I think we are still on the incline. We are still on the upside.”
Odessa Regional Medical Center President Stacey Brown said the numbers at ORMC are 29 COVID patients in house with 20 of those patients in the ICU and eight are on ventilators. At Scenic Mountain Medical Center in Big Spring, there are 10 patients in house with three of those in the ICU and all three on ventilators. Brown explained 48% of the patients in house at ORMC and Scenic Mountain Medical Center are under the age of 50.
With the continued increase of COVID patients at MCH and ORMC, Tippin said vaccine availability at MCH urgent cares was unavailable as of Monday afternoon. Tippin continued to say that he expects another shipment of COVID vaccines to be delivered Tuesday.
Tippin said the shipments can vary between 40 to 60 vials, which can equate to 240 to 360 shots. Tippin said after the FDA fully approved the Pfizer vaccine that there was a jump of vaccine willingness.
“If you still want a vaccine, there’s plenty available out there, whether that’s at ORMC, CVS, Walmart or pharmacies,” Tippin said. “… Nobody needs to panic. There’s still a bunch of vaccines out there and available.”
Early Monday afternoon, Midland Memorial Hospital had a tent delivered that can house overflow patients at the hospital.
Tippin said the main obstacle preventing MCH from getting a tent to house overflow patients is staffing. MCH currently has 22 staff out with 19 testing positive. MCH Chief Nursing Officer Christin Timmons said there is 26 staff from the state.
Brown said ORMC has 14 staff out, but there is 14 staff from the state.
Odessa Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Rodd Huber said there are 16 city employees out due to COVID. Huber explained the Regeneron Infusion Center is treating patients more efficiently.
“They are getting better and better every day” Huber said. “The 23rd, 24th, 25th they were sitting around 25. On the 26th, they did 35. They did 51 and 45 over the weekend. The demand and patient referrals are definitely there. We are seeing a lot of success with the Regeneron Infusion Clinic.”
