DCH Hits New High For Coronavirus Inpatients Ahead Of Holidays

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — DCH Health System reported a new high of 170 total coronavirus inpatients on Monday, which comes just days before a Christmas holiday that is expected to bring with it an additional surge in cases and hospitalizations due to large gatherings and travel.

QUICK FACTS

• DCH added 29 new inpatients on Monday, resulting in the system's overall total topping the previous high of 157 on Dec. 13.
• While a vaccine is now available locally to a certain segment of the public, officials caution that it will likely not be available to the wider public until months from now.
• With nearly two weeks to go in the month, Tuscaloosa County has added 2,309 coronavirus cases since Dec. 1, representing just under 20% of its cumulative case total since March.

After hovering in the 150s for its total number of coronavirus-positive inpatients over the last week, Monday's hospitalization totals marked a noticeable spike, coming in at its highest point of the pandemic and the most hospitalizations since Dec. 13, when the system reported 157 inpatients.

Following the release of Monday's hospitalization figures, Andy North, vice president of marketing and communications for DCH Health System, said he was unable to immediately provide additional data for bed availability in the hospital and declined to comment when asked about capacity. However, DCH continues to perform elective surgeries and has shown no indication of immediate intentions to request additional mandates and measures from local governmental agencies amid fears of the system becoming overwhelmed. Government officials have recently pointed to ongoing elective surgeries at DCH as an accurate barometer for gauging the availability of private rooms within the system.

State health department data shows by the end of the week, Tuscaloosa County will have likely topped 17,000 cumulative coronavirus cases, between confirmed and those classified as probable, identified since March, with the county adding another 96 confirmed cases Monday, according to the latest data published by Bamatracker.com.

Tuscaloosa County's current 7-day average for new cases, a crucial metric monitored by government and public health officials, also remains in the triple-digits, at 109.86 new cases confirmed a day over the last week. For context, the county's 7-day average stayed below 100 for the majority of the pandemic, not topping the 100-case mark until Dec. 4.

At DCH, there are currently 31 patients receiving treatment in the system's intensive care units (ICUs), nine of whom are on ventilators. Over the course of the last week, seven Tuscaloosa County residents have died at DCH after testing positive for the coronavirus.

The crisis is not without a potential light at the end of the tunnel, though. On Monday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, publicly received the first shot in the two-step Pfizer vaccine at Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery, along with State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris and State Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mary McIntyre. The public event is part of a wider effort on the part of government officials to boost faith in the vaccine for those in the public who are skeptical of intentions and efficacy.

Locally, vaccinations have already started as both frontline healthcare workers and emergency first responders receive the first round of shots. On Friday, Patch reported that Dr. Blake Lovely, who serves as medical director for emergency department services with DCH Health System, was the first person in Tuscaloosa to receive the Pfizer vaccine. He said the system currently has the capability of vaccinating 100 people per day as it works to streamline the process and make it more efficient.

One vaccine recipient, an emergency first responder who spoke to Patch while requesting to remain unnamed, said he received his first shot on Monday and has not experienced any side-effects. As DCH officials previously pointed out, side-effects — such as headaches or body aches — were more likely with the second shot, which comes three weeks after the initial inoculation for the Pfizer vaccine and 28 days for the Moderna vaccine, which has yet to be administered locally.

"There wasn't anything to it," he said. "They stuck me in the left shoulder, I felt it just a little bit, but other than that, it was like a flu shot."

The first responder said the entire process took 30-40 minutes, with four tests being conducted at a time in the remote testing center opened on the DCH Regional Medical Center campus earlier this month.

"I think they're doing a very good job considering everything they have to deal with," he said. "Because they have to be worn out."

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Statewide, the situation remains concerning as new cases and hospitalization totals soar at disturbing rates. Patch reported on Monday that after adding 2,380 new coronavirus cases to its total to begin the week, Alabama has now confirmed more than 53,000 new cases of the virus in the last two weeks alone.

Even with vaccines beginning to roll out to different distribution points, they will likely not be available to the general public anytime soon as public health officials continue to warn against large holiday gatherings and the impact it could have on the situation at hand for Alabama hospitals.

On behalf of DCH, North reiterated the basics to the public ahead of the holidays.

"We encourage individuals to avoid gatherings of those outside of their immediate household," he said. "Please continue to wear masks and wash your hands regularly."

Harris, the state's health officer, said Monday that public health officials are pleased vaccine products have been authorized for emergency use, but not nearly enough of it will be available initially, and it will be months before the public at large can be vaccinated.

"It is important that everyone continue practicing the measures that are effective in preventing transmission of COVID-19, including social distancing, mask wearing, hand hygiene, avoiding people who are sick, avoiding crowded, poorly ventilated indoor spaces, and monitoring their own health," he said.

As of Monday, Bamatracker.com reports that 2,526 are currently hospitalized across the state after testing positive for the coronavirus. Saturday also saw the state top its total for new deaths reported in a single day, with 77, bringing Alabama's death toll to 3,849 that have been confirmed, with another 540 classified as "probable."

DCH Health System also pointed out that its coronavirus screening, testing and vaccination service at its remote site in the Laundry Lot just west of DCH Regional Medical Center will be closed on Thursday and Friday for the Christmas holiday. It will also be closed Jan. 1, 2021 for New Year's Day. Regular hours remain unchanged on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 8 a.m. until noon for testing and Monday through Friday, by appointment only, for vaccinations.

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