Health experts concerned about the COVID-19 outbreak begins to stress North Texas hospitals
Texas has seen two weeks of record hospitalization figures and health experts are concerned about what the next two weeks could bring as the outbreak continues.
DALLAS – Texas has seen two weeks of record hospitalization figures and health experts are concerned about what the next two weeks could bring as the outbreak continues.
Governor Greg Abbott suspended elective medical procedures in four affected counties, including Dallas County, in an effort to maintain available bed space for potential COVID-19 patients.
“What we are seeing throughout the state of Texas and certainly in North Texas, we are seeing that the direct impact translates into individuals who are sick enough to be hospitalized. That tells us that the percentage increase in positive test results is real, ”said Dr. Mark Casanova, President of the Dallas County Medical Society.
Casanova said there will be an impact from the suspension of some procedures.
“This is very puzzling to us in healthcare. They are defined as non-elective procedures, but it should not be inferred that these are not very important procedures … tests to be performed, “said Casanova.
RELATED: Governor Abbott announces ‘temporary hiatus’ at reopening of Texas as COVID-19 outbreak worsens
Medical experts applaud Governor Abbott’s new executive orders to curb the spread of COVID-19
Medical experts across North Texas and the state applaud the governor’s new orders to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
One doctor said he thinks most of how fast these COVID-19 numbers are increasing.
And those ever-increasing numbers are rapidly changing the way hospitals operate.
“There is an update since the last time I spoke to you, actually. We have brought our third online COVID room [Thursday]”Parkland associate medical director Dr. Joseph Chang said.
Parkland reported Wednesday that it had a flexible ward capable of adding 50 beds to its more than 100 existing beds for COVID patients. On Thursday, she did exactly that.
“I don’t see that light at the end of the tunnel. We don’t know where this is going, ”said Dr. Chang.
Most worrying for Dr. Chang is the alarming rate at which case numbers and hospitalizations are increasing in Texas.
Dr. John Carlo, who chairs the COVID-19 Task Force for the Texas Medical Association, feels the same way.
“What I think about the most is how fast these numbers have increased,” said Dr. Carlo. “If you somehow draw the line, that puts us on some pretty troubling trends in no time.” We are talking only a few weeks.
But Dr. Chang continues to trust Parkland’s ability to continue expanding his capacity.
“Right now, if 200 COVID patients showed up today, I could host them,” he said.
The DFW Hospital Board echoes that, saying that hospital systems at DFW can flex enormously within their own systems.
On Thursday, the hospital and Dallas county council declined to establish a pop-up hospital at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, such as the one created in March, but was later dismantled because it was not needed.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said: “They believe they are capable of handling an increase in COVID-19 hospitalization.”
Governor Abbott who stops elective surgeries at Dallas County hospitals is cause for concern for Dr. Chang.
“We stop to attend to one type of patient in order to attend to another type of patient. As a doctor, that hurts. That goes against every oath I have taken, ”he said. “We’re actually having conversations about who not to care for. And if that doesn’t make it real for people, then I don’t know what will. “
Doctors added that not only are the beds occupied, that’s the problem with capacity.
Hospital personnel are also being depleted and supplies are being used.
Again, hospitals feel like they have this under control, but they just don’t know how much it could get worse and for how long.
RELATED: More coronavirus coverage
Dallas City Health Czar Dr. Kelvin Baggett said at the first municipal council COVID-19 committee meeting that there is an increase in positive cases 18-49.
“I am deeply concerned about the July 4th celebrations. I am deeply concerned about some of the things that I think people are doing in terms of expanding their circles, inviting people into their homes, “Baggett said.
County Health Director Dr. Philip Huang told the committee that there are too many cases to try to physically implement contact tracking with each other, so the county is implementing an automated contact tracking system for individuals. who were exposed to positive cases of COVID-19.
The Chief of Infectious Diseases at UT Southwestern, Dr. Trish Perl, informed the committee that this outbreak is not COVID-19 chapter two.
“In my opinion, this really does not represent a new wave, but an ongoing wave that has just accelerated,” Perl said. “We have seen increases not only in hospitalizations but also in emergency room visits and also in ICU utilization.”
If this current spike is not a new wave, officials said imagine what that might be like.
“We are in a ‘Danger, Will Robinson!’ right now and as clear as possible about our message: stay home if possible, wear your face mask at all times and excellent hand hygiene, ”said Casanova.
RELATED: Interactive Map of Texas Cases COVID-19
