Gov. John Carney says hospitalizations are now running ahead of the same period a year ago, with one administrator calling the situation dire.
Carney confirmed that the state is working to relieve hospital pressure by setting up alternate care centers for the less seriously ill. National Guard and others would staff the centers.
The governor says restrictions that were in place a year ago would require a state of emergency declaration and would trigger pushback. He acknowledged the difficulties of keeping a school mask requirement in place.
As of Tuesday, the number of people in the hospital with severe cases of Covid-19 was 390. The stress on the system is greater than the same time a year ago since hospitals are also dealing with additional flu cases, more traffic accidents, and those who neglected health conditions earlier in the pandemic.
Carney was joined in a Tuesday briefing by David, Tam, CEO of Bebee Health, and Sharon Kurfuerst, chief operating officer of ChristianaCare.
The situation is dire, Kurfuerst says, citing the pressure of caregivers in dealing with patients and families whose illness could have been avoided.
Tam says Beebe is finding innovative ways to serve the Coastal Sussex community and is handling all critical cases.
Navy-healthcare veteran Tam called for the community to be kind to health care workers who have been dealing with care conditions that reminded him of treating combat casualties.
Kurfuerst said ChristianaCare’s hospitals, at times, are running above capacity. Statewide, about 1,800 people are hospitalized, with some elective surgeries requiring an overnight stay being postponed.
Tam said the current situation leads to a “slowdown” in treatment. While surgeries are described as elective, postponed surgeries often involve people in severe pain and discomfort from knee, hip, or other conditions.
Hospitalizations in Delaware had dropped below 20 earlier in the year but rose during the fall.
On Monday, the Delaware Healthcare Association warned of a looming crisis among its member hospitals that are now at or above capacity.
Tam, Kurfuerst, and Carney emphasized the need for Covid vaccinations, booster shots, and flu shots. They also advise mask-wearing, smaller gatherings, and social distancing.
Click here for Delaware Covid-19 information by county and zip code.
