The potential for Covid-19 to spread through airborne transmission by lingering in the air is being underplayed by the World Health Organization (WHO), a group of scientists have said. In an open letter due to be published this week, 239 scientists from 32 countries call for greater acknowledgement of the role of airborne spread of Covid-19 and the need for governments to … [Read more...]
Houston hospitals transferring COVID-19 patients to outlying cities
Hospitals in Houston, TX, have felt the recent surge of COVID-19 patients and Harris Health System, which operates Ben Taub and LBJ hospitals, is now transferring COVID-19 patients to other healthcare facilities in outlying areas. According to Harris Health System, 49% of the patients in Ben Taub’s ICU are COVID-19 positive. ICUs at Ben Taub and LBJ hospitals are at a combined … [Read more...]
Heart conditions drove spike in deaths beyond those attributed to COVID-19
Fear of seeking care in hospitals overwhelmed by the pandemic may have caused thousands of deaths as federal data analysis from five hard-hit states and New York City points to 8,300 more deaths from heart problems than would have been typical from March through May. That is an increase of roughly 27% over historical averages. The spike led to Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, … [Read more...]
Arizona hospitals hiring out-of-state nurses for coronavirus surge
Arizona hospitals are hiring out-of-state nurses readying for an expected surge of coronavirus patients in one of the U.S. hotspots. Plans are being activated to add more beds and staff, and state officials have authorized “crisis standards of care,” which tell hospitals which patients should get a ventilator or other scarce resources in a shortage situation. Dignity Health, … [Read more...]
Ochsner Health System teams with Ready Responders on in-home care efforts
Ochsner Health System (Louisiana) has teamed with Ready Responders (Louisiana) to reduce preventable emergency department visits and support patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. The collaboration is the latest in Ochsner’s in-home care efforts. Ready Responders provides on-demand urgent care, in-home testing services, post-hospital care and more, and has raised roughly $53 … [Read more...]
Oregon to require face masks indoors in public statewide starting July 1
Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced yesterday that Oregonians statewide will be required to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces starting Wednesday. The guidance applies to businesses and members of the public visiting indoor public spaces. Face mask requirements are already in place in 8 of Oregon's 36 counties. “From the beginning of the reopening process, I … [Read more...]
Calif. coronavirus situation worsens as state reports nearly 8,000 new cases, 50+ deaths in one day
“California plummeted deeper into a new coronavirus crisis yesterday as new cases spiked to record levels, some hospitals filled up, and officials expressed growing alarm and frustration with people refusing to follow safety rules despite the increasingly perilous conditions. “The state broke its record Monday for the greatest number of new coronavirus cases reported … [Read more...]
Premier Inc. Survey: Alternate Site Providers report increased PPE needs, face challenges with traditional distribution channels
Premier Inc. (Charlotte, NC) reported survey results showing that the majority of alternate site providers, including senior living facilities, physician/medical offices, pharmacies and surgical centers, report a more than 50% increase in personal protective equipment (PPE) needs since the COVID-19 outbreak. However, Premier said that the majority of respondents were still … [Read more...]
Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center pausing some projects, including $2B hospital tower
Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center has paused some capital projects amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to Columbus Business First. Ohio State has paused projects like its interdisciplinary research and education building and a $2 billion, 840-bed hospital tower, which would replace some hospital rooms from other buildings. However, the medical center is … [Read more...]
Texas Medical Center in Houston reaches 100% ICU occupancy
All regular ICU beds in the Texas Medical Center are now being used, according to Houston’s KHOU11, but officials say they can add more. As of yesterday, 28% of the hospital’s ICU patients were being treated for COVID-19. Hospitals in Houston's Medical Center will now move some ICU patients to beds not normally used for critical care. Despite reaching surge capacity, four … [Read more...]