Today’s (Nov. 19) update from the South Dakota Department of Health shows there are 578 people in the state currently hospitalized because of COVID-19.
At Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre, President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mikel Holland says while the number of COVID-19 patients varies daily, they continue to see a steady increase in both positive cases and people needing hospitalization.
Holland says they’re doing a lot of creative things to increase hospital capacity.
He says the limiting factor at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital isn’t as much beds as it is staffing.
The best thing the public can do to help lighten the work load of the staff at any medical facility, Holland says, is to wear a mask and maintain good hygiene.
Holland says while many elective and non-emergency procedures are being postponed so staff can care for the large number of patients, people with illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and other chronic issues can still make appointments to be seen.
Avera St. Mary’s Hospital serves as a regional medical center serving a 90 mile area around Pierre/Fort Pierre.
Avera St. Mary’s Hospital and the Avera Pierre Clinic implemented surge measures Nov. 9, 2020, because of an increase in the number of COVID-19 patients needing treatment. Holland says typically as the state sees the positive number of COVID-19 tests increase, hospitalizations also increase in the one to two weeks following.
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