In the wake of a significant rise in Covid-19 cases causing closures of several school districts, Kentucky hospitals are experiencing an influx of hospital admissions. These factors can be traced back to the conclusion of the public-health emergency on May 11th.
In a closer examination, during the initial full fortnight of August, there was an alarming daily surge in Covid-19 hospital admissions by 110%. On average, 28 patients were admitted daily, according to the Covid-19 tracker maintained by The New York Times in conjunction with figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this two-week duration, with an admission rate of 20 per 100,000 individuals, Kentucky surpassed the national rate of 15 per 100,000 by 25%.
Despite these alarming metrics, overall increases have been marginal in Kentucky’s more expansive hospitals where the surge seems to be continuing. A study by UK HealthCare reveals that throughout the middle of June, its system cared for an average of 15 to 20 Covid-19 patients weekly. There was a slight drop between eight and nine in mid-July, which then started slowly increasing until it reached a tally of 19 to 29 Covid-19 patients in the week preceding August 21.
The subsequent week, the numbers ranged between 26 to 27. These figures are inclusive of individuals with active Covid-19 infection under UK HealthCare, and those who were still hospitalized post becoming non-infectious, clarified UK HealthCare spokeswoman, Allison Perry.
In further communication, Dr. Nicholas Van Sickels, interim director for UK HealthCare Infection Prevention and Control, stated that the slight increase in cases was largely a result of the new EG.5 variant of Covid. With schools reopening and colder weather compelling indoor gathering, a rise in incidence of Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses is anticipated.
Therefore, practicing good hand hygiene, staying current on Covid-19, flu and RSV vaccines, coupled with mask-wearing during any respiratory illness symptoms, was his advised strategy of virus deterrence. The older and infant demographics being more susceptible to severe outcomes from respiratory illness makes this especially crucial.
Echoing the same, Baptist Health indicated their attendance of gradual Covid-19 uptick from early August.
Throughout the summer, average weekly Covid-19 hospitalizations at their nine healthcare units were between four and five, with an observed incremental increase from the first week of August, which started tapering off later in the same week, informed Kit Fullenlove Barry, Director of Public Relations at Baptist Health. According to projections, Baptist Health encountered 15-20 inpatients the first week of August, escalating to 60-65 in the week preceding August 20.
When probed, during the trailing two days of the week just before August 27, the count was about 50-55 inpatients with Covid-19, where it eventually reached 52 by August 31st. Only a small fraction of these cases were critical, requesting intensive care, but no ventilator usage was recorded. Fullenlove Barry reassured that CDC protocols and all appropriate infection control measures were followed in managing confirmed and exposed patients, and that the surge was under control.
Likewise, CHI Saint Joseph Health reported small increments in Covid cases with no specific numbers provided, across its hospitals in Lexington, Bardstown, Berea, London, and Mount Sterling.
In accordance with this, it plans to continue observing community cases and making necessary adjustments, while endorsing vaccination and tested medical treatments. Besides, people also being advised to take safety measures as per their comfort levels and state of health.
Source: https://www.richmondregister.com/kentucky/ky-covid-hospitalizations-more-than-double-and-exceed-u-s-rate-but-hospitals-say-they/article_f7e14732-4b3f-11ee-a4bc-67398285359e.html