Since the first of November, coronavirus hospitalizations have been on the rise at Northeast Georgia Health System facilities and hospital officials said Monday morning the area is on the way to a new peak in COVID-19 cases.
"Both the percentage of tests coming back positive and the number of people who need to be admitted to the hospital have been steadily climbing all month," Dr. Clifton Hastings in an email statement to AccessWDUN. Hastings is the Chief of Staff for Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC). "Both are now at levels that we’ve only seen on our way to peaks in April and July, and we’re headed for a new peak. The only question is, how high will this peak be?"
On Nov. 1, 80 patients were hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19 at all NGHS facilities. On Nov. 30, the number was 176, just three shy of the all-time high recorded on Aug. 10.
As of 9 a.m. Monday, only five beds were available for patients at the NGMC-Gainesville campus; that includes the mobile medical unit outside the North Patient Tower constructed specifically for COVID patients.
Hastings said with the surge in cases, community members must be diligent with health protocols.
"We know people are tired of hearing about wearing masks, washing hands and watching their distance. Trust me, our nurses, doctors and other staff are tired, too. But those are the only actions that can limit the spread and keep us from hitting another high peak," Hastings said. "The entire spirit of the holidays is to think about others first and doing whatever you can to help them, so I hope everyone really takes that to heart and protects the people they love the most."
Follow this link to find COVID-19 information on COVID-19 from Northeast Georgia Health System, the Georgia Department of Public Health and other sources.
