As COVID-19 hospitalizations and cases surge across Los Angeles County, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital officials are “confident” in their ability to treat a potential rise in patients.
There are nearly 1,200 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in L.A. County as of Wednesday, including 20 at Henry Mayo, which is the highest number of hospitalizations the county has seen in two months.
“We are constantly monitoring our COVID patient census. We are confident in our ability to care for an increase in patients should it occur, as, if necessary, we can prepare additional rooms for these patients,” said Dr. Larry R. Kidd, chief clinical officer and chief nurse executive at Henry Mayo.
Furthermore, Henry Mayo participates in a statewide hospital network that helps direct patients to hospitals where beds are available, according to Kidd.
“Collectively we are prepared to manage a surge in patients should we experience one,” he said.
See Related: COVID-19 Hospitalizations On The Rise In Santa Clarita, Still Below 50 Percent Capacity At Henry Mayo
Henry Mayo is utilizing an entire floor in the newly-built patient tower for COVID-19 patients, freeing up room in the emergency room and intensive care unit (ICU), Patrick Moody, spokesperson for the hospital.
The staff working in the COVID unit are also separated and undergo a thorough decontamination procedure when entering and exiting the unit, according to Moody.
“We can provide ICU level care in that unit,” Moody said in a previous story. “But, by not having the patients in the main hospital, that frees up our ICU for patients who don’t have COVID.”
The COVID unit has beds for 27 patients, with an overflow area of 20 beds available if demand exceeds that number. If an influx of patients were to go beyond even that number, the hospital has space to treat nearly 100 COVID patients if necessary, according to Moody.
“If necessary, we could start to take steps to increase our capacity,” Moody said. “I would say we could pretty easily accommodate over 90 patients.”
The ER is completely separate from the COVID unit, with Moody further urging residents to not delay emergency care if needed.
Hospitalizations are one of the metrics the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is monitoring to potentially increase restrictions in the “Safer at Home” health order.
See Related: New Business Restrictions Discussed By Los Angeles County Leaders
If the case average rises above 4,500, or hospitalizations are more than 2,000 per day, the county could impose a true curfew order for at least three weeks, limiting business operations and resident activity between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., with essential workers exempt.
Locally in the Santa Clarita Valley, COVID-19 cases have followed the same surge as the rest of Los Angeles County, with health officials encouraging the public to continue the same prevention measures preached since March.
The Henry Mayo chief clinical officer urged Santa Clarita residents to continue practicing social distancing, wearing masks and participating in other practices to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“That said, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of continuing to take proven, effective, common-sense precautions, such as wearing masks, frequent handwashing, social distancing, and going out only when necessary,” Kidd said. “The best way to ensure an adequate supply of hospital beds is to limit the spread of the virus.”
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