Update: July 21, 2021

“Remember happiness is a way of traveling, not a destination.” – Roy M. Goodman

501,494 positive cases (up 5,549 since July 19)
10,828 deaths (up 33 since July 19)
Vaccination rate increased .12% bringing the total to 36.10%
Tangipahoa Parish incidence rate has increased to 58.7 per 100,000 people for an increase of 3.9 individuals.

Tested 29,831 (up 318 since July 19)
4,085 positive test results (up 103 since July 19)
1,191 patients recovered (up 19 since July 19)
Positivity rate for July has increased from 25% to 38%.
NOMC:
- 45 hospitalized (up 1 since July 19)
- 4 COVID-19 patients on vents (up 2 since July 19)
- 0 deaths since July 19
NORH: 17 patients (0 COVID-19 positive); 3 possible patient admissions
Hood: 16 Patients (0 COVID-19 positive); 3 employees out monitoring

Chief Medical Officer Robert Peltier will host the weekly Medical Staff call at 12:30 p.m. today.
Dr. Peltier reminds everyone to mask properly to protect yourself, your coworkers and patients in accordance with the Louisiana Department of Health mask mandate for licensed health care facilities in the state. Masks are necessary –especially with the virulence of the Delta variant and its prevalence in our area.
Chief Nursing Officer Kirsten Riney reports that staffing remains tight, but help is on the way as many new graduates are currently in Orientation. Everyone’s continued teamwork is appreciated.
Surgical Services continues with business as usual at this time. We are monitoring surgeries closely and reserve the right to limit or suspend elective surgeries if bed needs require it.
Chief Human Resources Officer Jeff Jarreau reports Employee Wellness has returned 7 staff members back to work since July 19, leaving 40 out monitoring symptoms at home (6 RNs; 0 respiratory therapists). Remember that employees who report symptoms or who test positive for COVID-19 cannot return to work until they have cleared the 10-day period and have been cleared by Employee Wellness. For more information or further assistance, call Employee Wellness at ext. 5706.
Chief Financial Officer Mark Anderson reports no supply concerns. We have enough PPE.

We’re excited to report that the North Oaks Foundation’s “COVID 100 Immunization Clinic” initiative has received an additional $10,000 matching gift enabling the Foundation to extend the $100 cash incentive to 100 more people for a total of 200 people. As of this morning, we have 180 people registered to receive the Pfizer BioNTech two-dose COVID-19 vaccine on July 31 and Aug. 21. Those interested can register online at covid100.northoaks.org or call (985) 230-SHOT [7468].
Fliers are in design to be distributed at all North Oaks facility visitor entrances to encourage vaccinations and dispel myths as part of our efforts to lead by example when it comes to getting vaccinations. Vaccinations are key to slowing the spread of COVID-19.

Continue to refer this OakLink COVID-19 Toolkit for the most up-to-date information and recommendations for safe COVID-19 prevention strategies, including PPE requirements and appropriate use information, as well as environmental cleanliness (patient rooms, patient care areas, nursing stations, waiting areas, public areas, staff break rooms, meeting rooms and personal office spaces).
Help ensure that social distancing measures are still in place in waiting areas and general public areas. Check that elevator, seating and line forming area social distancing signage remains in place. Please contact Operations Director Gina McAndrew at ext. 7725 for replacement signage and/or placement guidance.
It’s everyone’s daily responsibility to mask up, wash your hands and clean equipment and surfaces! Please hold each other accountable and feel free to reach out to Infection Prevention Manager Amanda Morse at ext. 6414 or Infection Prevention Nurse Ashley Foster at ext. 6440 for further assistance with any questions you may have.

Communication channels have been re-established with local media partners for Dr. Peltier to provide COVID-19 Updates to the community as follows until further notice:
- Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:10 a.m. on Tangi 96.5 FM
- Tuesday interviews with AN17.com
- Thursdays at 11 a.m. on KSLU 90.9 FM.
WBRZ Channel 2 News and WVUE FOX 8 News also have interviewed Dr. Peltier this week regarding our visitation policy changes, increased cases and vaccinations.

We appreciate your efforts! Thank you!