Dr. Rais Vohra says another problem has been hiring staff because some employees had to be quarantined after being potentially exposed to the virus.
“So while we see an increase in numbers, we also have to quarantine the people helping with the pandemic,” says Vohra.
Vohra says that at the moment, they are studying the possibility of reopening the beds at the Fresno Convention Center if there is an increase.
Tulare County health officials say they are seeing similar problems with hospital capacities.
They are in talks with the state to revive the Porterville Development Center as an acute care site in case they need it, while hospitals are looking for ways to improve staffing.
“They are working to free staff in various ways by eliminating elective surgeries,” says Dr. Vohra.
Dr. Jessica Mason, an emergency physician with UCSF Fresno, says that although they have seen an increase, they can handle it for now.
“We have increased the number of doctors who are able to work shifts and have additional space that we can convert into additional patient areas when that time comes,” she says.
She reminds people to wear their masks and don’t hesitate to go to the emergency room if they have severe symptoms.
For more news coverage on coronavirus and COVID-19, visit ABC30.com/coronavirus
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