Lima hospitals still reeling from latest surge – LimaOhio.com
By Mackenzi Klemann – mklemann@limanews.com
Tips to celebrate the holidays safely
• Keep gatherings small
• Move events outdoors or open windows to increase air circulation
• Use rapid tests before traveling, visiting family or attending events
• If sick, stay home
LIMA — Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center started transferring patients this week to a Mercy Health hospital in Cincinnati during the latest coronavirus surge in Lima.
Lima hospitals have reported record-high COVID-19 admissions after the Thanksgiving holiday, which peaked in early December.
But representatives from St. Rita’s and Lima Memorial Health System say they are still reeling from that surge due to staffing challenges and high numbers of critically ill patients, leading both hospitals to order additional ventilators from Ohio’s emergency supply.
Hospital leaders are worried they’ll see even more patients with coronavirus disease after Christmas and New Year’s gatherings, potentially extending the surge into January.
“Thanksgiving was a perfect example of how a surge can influence the ability to deliver health care in a community,” said Dr. Matthew Owens, chief clinical officer for St. Rita’s.
The surge in patients “really ground us to a halt,” Owens said.
Patients spent more time waiting in the emergency department due to limited inpatient bed availability.
Elective surgeries requiring an overnight stay were halted. In some cases, even non-elective procedures were delayed. And there are now shortages of IV-fluid bags and blood supplies, which can disrupt surgical care to preserve emergency reserves for trauma patients.
“These are your family members, your friends and your neighbors that are here working desperately to take care of people,” Owens said. “I would just ask that the public be respectful of the job that these folks are trying to do in a very difficult situation.”
The situation has deteriorated to the point that “we need to go back to where we were at the beginning of this, in early 2020,” said Kim Reiman, Putnam County health commissioner. “We’re back in that exact same spot right now.”
Putnam County saw its highest coronavirus infection rates of 2021 just last week, Reiman said.
Similar trends are underway throughout the region: Allen County reported its third highest number of coronavirus cases in November and is on track to surpass that this month, according to Brandon Fischer, Allen County health commissioner.
November was the third highest month for coronavirus infections in Auglaize County too, said Oliver Fisher, Auglaize County health commissioner.
“We are pleading with the community to follow the basic public health guidance we have right now,” Fischer said.
That means masking indoors, avoiding crowded places, staying home when sick and taking a COVID test when needed. Those who haven’t been vaccinated should start their vaccines, Fischer said, while those who are due for a booster shot should get one as soon as possible to protect from severe disease.
By Mackenzi Klemann
mklemann@limanews.com
Tips to celebrate the holidays safely
• Keep gatherings small
• Move events outdoors or open windows to increase air circulation
• Use rapid tests before traveling, visiting family or attending events
• If sick, stay home
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