The news is talking about one thing and one thing only: COVID-19.
El Paso, in particular, has been hit hard by the pandemic with more than 45,000 cases. There are around 900 people hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications with 245 in intensive care. The increase in hospitalization and patients needing ventilators has put a strain on hospitals nearing or already reaching full capacity. The numbers are bad, with a 300% increase in COVID related hospitalizations within a three week time period and all we can do is continue to follow the CDC guidelines for social distancing.
So what’s new?
- A new mega testing site opened at Ascarate Park, no appointment is needed and it’s free for residents with or without symptoms.
- The Texas Emergency Medical Task Force set up an emergency care site at the El Paso Convention and Performing Art Center with 50 additional hospital beds and medical equipment this week.
- University medical center of El Paso has received 71 nurses and is requesting 100 more. Up to 20 critical care patients per day can be flown to other cities for emergent treatment and the decision is voluntary.
- Stay at home order from 10 pm to 5 am or face a $500 fine in the El Paso County
Should I go to the hospital for my regular check-up and elective surgeries?
- Las Palmas and del Sol hospitals, UMC, and The Hospitals of Providence are continuing to provide elective surgeries in a safe manner. These are defined as non-emergent, clinically necessary procedures. To keep patients safe, there will be limited entrances, clearer directions, screenings, social distancing, visitation limits to one person, and isolation of COVID-19 patients.
- Hospitals and doctors take great care in protecting themselves and their patients from COVID-19, making sure to use protective gear and sanitation to avoid unnecessary risk and exposure. It is not more likely to be exposed to coronavirus at the hospital or your local doctors office because few places provide such strict measures of screening and sanitation. However, please limit the amount of people at the hospital to just the patient, if possible.
Check with your doctor to make sure when you can schedule your appointment, as times may be more limited to comply with greater safety measures.
How is Dr. Turbay handling this situation?
Dr. Turbay’s office is currently open and operating under usual business hours. Although we have faced some challenges with limited staffing and increased precautions, we are doing our best to keep our doors open to new and returning patients. We want to ensure that your medical needs are being treated, regardless of the current circumstances.
For more information give our office a call at 915-855-7600 and check out your hospital’s response to COVID-19 to determine what is the best course of action for your personal medical treatment.
Here are some resources:
https://laspalmasdelsolhealthcare.com/covid-19/access-to-care/surgery-faqs.dot
https://www.thehospitalsofprovidence.com/our-response-to-covid-19