Great Plains Health is working with local long-term care facilities to address an increase in patients testing positive for COVID-19, according to a press release from Great Plains Health.
The challenge for facilities is to maintain isolation for a large number of residents, staff adequately and receive timely results of testing. This weekend a flare-up in one of North Platte’s facilities resulted in patients being placed at Great Plains Health, Gothenburg Health and Ogallala Community Hospital, the press release said.
According to the West Central District Health Department’s dashboard, there have been 70 confirmed cases since Oct. 1. There is no information available on when or where these cases are from.
“Meeting the needs of our patients and community is our highest priority,” said Mel McNea Great Plains Health chief executive officer. “We are continually evaluating our capacity to ensure that we maintain the safest environment for patients and staff. Great Plains Health is working with area care facilities and hospitals to ensure the organization has the capacity to treat those needing critical care,” McNea said.
Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are at an all-time high across the state, with that number continuing to rise. Hospitalizations surpassed the previous high of 232 set in May and now sit at 262. Currently, Great Plains Health has 13 patients hospitalized due to complications associated with COVID-19.
