'Largely Avoidable': What To Know About Latest Virus Surge At DCH

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The noticeable rise in new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations nationwide over the last week has dominated headlines, prompting DCH Health System to publicly address Tuscaloosa's local surge.

On Thursday, DCH Chief Operating Officer Paul Betz fielded questions from local media, while stressing that the recent spike is mostly the result of low demand for the widely-available vaccine.

"These increases are consistent with what other areas are seeing across the country, especially areas with low vaccination rates," he said, before addressing the highly-publicized Delta Variant of the virus. "While that variant appears to be more contagious, the vaccines appear to be effective against this. How do we know this? Most of those who need inpatient care for COVID are not vaccinated."

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Quick facts

• DCH reported 64 coronavirus-positive inpatients as of Thursday morning, with 19 people being treated in its intensive care units. The overall total is the highest market for the hospital system since February. As Patch previously reported, over 90% are unvaccinated.
• While demand for the vaccine is low in the community, DCH says its current employee vaccination rate is 53%.
• Since the onset of the pandemic, those who are 25-49 and hospitalized at DCH with the coronavirus, but were discharged or eventually died, previously totaled 17.8%. In the last 30 days, that number has risen to 28%.
• The Alabama Department of Public Health says unvaccinated people represented 96.2% of coronavirus-related deaths in Alabama since April 1.

5 things to know about the latest surge as of Thursday, July 29

1. Low vaccine demand: Betz pointed out that while older populations (over 50) have achieved high vaccination rates, concerns persist over the lower rate for their younger counterparts. DCH reports 35.9% of those ages 30-49 have been vaccinated, while only 24.8% for those ages 18-29 have finished their series. "It’s challenging because this is so largely avoidable by taking the vaccine," he said.
2. Nursing shortage: Coupled with the sharp rise in cases is a nationwide shortage of available nurses. Betz explained that at the onset of the pandemic, the hospital system received federal aid to help cover the costs of bringing in travel nurses. That funding is about to run out, prompting the hospital to open a new community nursing program where licensed nurses can make short-term work arrangements. They will receive an hourly rate plus incentive payment for time completed. Those interested can call (205) 333-4722.
3. Operations: DCH earlier this week announced it would keep its remote vaccination facility open on Fridays, despite previously moving forward to close it due to vaccine low demand and manageable inpatient numbers. Betz then said the hospital system has started to incentivize vaccinations among its employees. Most importantly, though, he said DCH is re-establishing its temporary coronavirus cohort units for inpatients, along with considering additional measures with respect to daily operations.
4. Addressing apprehensions: Betz stressed the need to spread awareness of the efficacy of the vaccine and urged the public to engage loved ones who may have reservations about getting the shot. "We are doing everything we can but we need the community’s help more than ever," he said. "First and foremost, we need the community to get vaccinated. Vaccines are the best force to reduce and defeat COVID and the most effective way to make that happen is 1-on-1 conversations with family and friends."
5. The coming weeks: As schools and universities are set to return to in-person learning early next month, Betz did say there was cause for worry due to such a low vaccination rate. However, he went on to express his faith in local institutions to implement policy reflective of the level of concern expressed by public health officials with respect to face-covering and social distancing guidelines.

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