As of Tuesday morning, these were Phoebe’s COVID-19 numbers:

Phoebe has seen a sharp increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, with 109 new admissions over the last five days, compared to 99 total COVID-19 admissions in December.  Today’s total of 170 patients is the most since early September.

 

“We are quickly approaching the peak COVID inpatient level we reached during our initial surge almost two years ago.  At this rate, in the next week or two, we could even reach the record number of COVID inpatients that was set during the Delta surge in August,” said Scott Steiner, Phoebe Putney Health System President & CEO. 

 

Already in January, 18 COVID-19 patients have died in Phoebe hospitals.  Only 13 died in November and December combined.  “People need to take this surge seriously and take precautions to protect themselves,” said Dianna Grant, MD, Phoebe Putney Health System Chief Medical Officer.  “While some people infected by the Omicron variant may only suffer mild symptoms, the sheer number of people contracting this extremely contagious variant is leading to a high number of hospitalizations, further straining our region’s healthcare system.  This is not ‘just a bad cold’ as some people would have you believe.  This strain of COVID is having serious impacts on many individuals and on hospitals throughout Georgia,” Dr. Grant added.

 

In an effort to prevent more hospitalizations, Phoebe is making monoclonal antibody treatments available to additional patients.  As of Tuesday, COVID-19 patients may qualify for the treatments if they are at least 65 years old or younger than 65 with clinical risk factors, regardless of their vaccination status.  “We continue to monitor our supply of these medications closely.  While we must follow prioritization guidelines set by the federal government, we can open the treatment to a larger percentage of the population, at least temporarily, as we fight through what we hope will be the worst of this current surge,” Dr. Grant said.

 

The federal government is also now offering free at-home COVID-19 tests to all Americans.  Beginning on January 19, each household can order up to four tests that will be mailed to them.  “Testing continues to be an important tool in our efforts to minimize the spread of the virus.  While we certainly encourage everyone to get vaccinated, avoid crowds, wear masks in public indoor spaces and wash their hands often, testing can help identify infections early and prevent transmission,” Steiner said.

 

Those free tests can be ordered online at www.covidtests.gov.