Provided by Sentara Health
Sentara Hospital Capacity Update
COVID-19 cases continue to climb around the country, in Virginia and North Carolina, and in our area. The number of COVID-19 cases in Virginia and North Carolina is in fact higher now than ever before, as is the number of patients (COVID and non-COVID) Sentara is treating.
Patient capacity is managed on a daily basis. Sentara’s goal is to adjust and expand as needed to care for all patients in need of care. With these constraints, some non-emergent procedures or surgeries may be delayed. Patients who may experience a delay with their surgery or procedure will be contacted. Sentara currently has adequate PPE supply, ventilators, and necessary medical equipment. Sentara is working tirelessly with vendors to ensure continued access to adequate PPE supply and safety equipment for all staff.
Aggregate data presents a more accurate picture and helps drive public health decision making, more than what an individual hospital capacity is on a given day. Sentara Healthcare provides all relevant data to the Virginia and North Carolina health departments, as well as the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, which includes ICU capacity. Their dashboards provide the best capacity overview for our regions.
How can the community help?
Sentara wants to continue to be transparent and open in our communication you. It is more important now more than ever that each and every one of us understands COVID-19 is a real disease that puts many lives at risk each and every day. There are easy, practical things we all can do to prevent spread and keep our loved ones out of the hospitals and allow for us to continue to care for all.
Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Don’t gather. Stay home if you can. Avoid crowds and remain socially distanced when you have to go out. Get the vaccine when it is available to you. Please do not wait to seek care if needed.
Your primary care physician is a good first phone call for mild illness or if you have questions. If you are having a medical emergency, do not hesitate to seek care. Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
Sentara has invited all staff who are working inside a Sentara facility to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine is optional and not mandatory.
This week, vaccine clinics have expanded to Sentara Quality Care Network providers and medical office staff, those working in Ambulatory Surgery Centers and other joint ventures, Velocity Urgent Care employees and some behavioral health clinics. This begins Sentara’s expansion into vaccinating community healthcare workers who are working in clinical settings and at risk for COVID-19 exposure. This scope will be broadened in phases to additional community healthcare workers who have not yet been offered the vaccine by local health departments. Sentara is dedicated to the health and safety of our community and we are working with VDH and NCDHHS to ensure vaccines are available to our community members in the appropriate phases as quickly as possible.
Highlights from COVID-19 vaccine clinics:
- As of the morning of Jan. 12, 2021, Sentara vaccine clinics have administered 16,229 total vaccines.
- 38% of total staff have had the first dose; 10% of staff have had both doses.
