Banner Churchill Community Hospital CEO, Rob Carnahan released a message today regarding an update of the COVID situation at the hospital.
"We would like to thank so many in our community for heeding our request to use the county COVID testing sites if you’re not experiencing any symptoms," he said. "Our Emergency Department is still very busy, with an average of 80 patients a day, including about 44 per day for COVID testing. If you’re not experiencing symptoms, but want or need a COVID test, please use the County testing sites to allow our staff to care for those patients who are seriously ill."
The COVID patients being seen at Banner are sicker than in recent days, according to Carnahan. The Intensive Care Unit is currently at 125 percent capacity, and 100 percent of the ICU patients are requiring ventilators for life support. 89 percent of Banner Churchill COVID patients are not vaccinated and 71 percent are between the ages of 12 to 59.
Carnahan encouraged community residents to consider vaccination. "Please help end the COVID-19 pandemic by doing your part and getting vaccinated as soon as possible if you are eligible. The Pfizer vaccine is FDA approved and the vaccines are safe and effective. Even if you get COVID, if you’re vaccinated you’re substantially less likely to become seriously ill and need hospitalization."
He said the Joint Commission, the accreditation body for the health care industry, has put together a simple set of graphics to help the public better understand the numbers related to COVID cases and vaccinations.
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