Updated: September 23, 2021

—FOR INTERNAL COMMUNICATION ONLY—

To follow is a COVID-19 Update for Thursday, September 23, 2021.

REFLECTIONS FROM PASTORAL CARE DIRECTOR KEITH KINCAID

“Loving Creator, when cooler weather embraces our place, and a cool breeze touches our face, it brings a fresh thought to our heart that a season of change and new excitement has a start. Father, we will embrace the cool freshness of the day, thankful for the new season that you bring our way.”

UPDATE FREQUENCY

Our COVID-19 weekly calls will end on Thursday, Sept. 30. After that time, COVID numbers will be shared on Mondays via Weekly Vitals.

STATE STATS (SINCE SEPT. 16)

732,005 COVID-19 cases (up 10,210)
13,657 COVID-19 patient deaths (up 339)
1,221 COVID-19 patients hospitalized (down 300)
225 COVID-19 patients on ventilators (down 51)
COVID-19 patients not fully vaccinated account for:
- 86% of cases
- 81% of deaths
- 87% of hospitalizations.

NOHS STATS (SINCE SEPT. 16)

NOMC:

28 COVID-19 patients hospitalized (down 8)
7 COVID-19 patients on ventilators (up 2)
6 COVID-19 patient deaths (all unvaccinated)
NORH: 17 patients (0 COVID+) with 3 possible admits
Hood: 15 patients hospitalized (0 COVID+) and 0 employees out monitoring at home
Tested 37,874 with 1 test pending (up 624)
6,188 positive test results (up 82)
Overall positivity rate is 16.3%
1,614 COVID-19 patients recovered (up 18)

VACCINATIONS

Last night, the FDA approved Pfizer vaccine boosters for people who are 65+ or high risk. When we receive additional details from the CDC about who qualifies, we will be ready to administer the shots shortly thereafter.
It is flu season, and you can safely receive both the flu and COVID vaccines at the same time.
First dose vaccines and flu shots will be available soon. Details will be forthcoming from HR via email.
The employee vaccination rate is currently 67%.

STAFFING & VOLUME

We are off diversion for everything and we are open for business.
Next week, we will do a COVID and Ida employee appreciation drawing. Artie will visit each department to conduct the drawings for thank you gifts for your efforts and going above and beyond.
Press Ganey employee and provider engagement surveys started Monday, Sept. 20. Please participate and let your voice be heard.
Employee Wellness returned 15 staff members back to work since Sept. 16. Currently, 12 employees (5 RNs; 0 RTs) are out monitoring symptoms at home.
Today’s Surgical Services schedule includes:
- 21 NOMC cases
- 20 Surgery Center cases
- 10 Cath Lab cases
- 7 Endoscopy cases.
The clinics are back to normal. Everyone is in their original locations and we are open for business.
Diagnostics volume is increasing and we are getting back to business as usual.
Urgent Cares are collectively averaging 100 visits per day, down from 150-160 per day and administering 40 COVID-19 vaccines per day.
Drive-thru COVID-19 testing hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. The team is averaging 20 per half day.
The COVID Hotline is operational and is being run by Urgent Care.
There are no changes to the visitor policy since our last call.
Staffing is good.
Supply levels are good.

PARKING GARAGE UPDATES

The third floor of the parking garage is closed. On the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 24, we will empty out the 2^nd floor so this weekend both the 2^nd and 3^rd floors will be closed.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 28, the first floor will be cleared out and the rest of the garage will be emptied out completely for the remainder of the week.
We plan to reopen Monday, Oct. 4.
Reminder: Please do not park in patient parking areas.

The next COVID update will be emailed Thursday, Sept. 30.