San Joaquin County health officials said a federal medical assistance team was deployed Wednesday after a surge in COVID-19-related hospitalizations in the area.Officials with the San Joaquin Office of Emergency Services said Wednesday that intensive care units in the county were operating at 121% capacity, with a total hospital capacity of 71%.The county adds 28% of the 699 occupied hospital beds countywide are COVID positive patients, while 55% of the 120 occupied ICU beds countywide are COVID positive patients. The Department of Defense clinical team was sent to Adventist Health Lodi Memorial Hospital (AHLM) so the county can expand its intensive care bed capacity.AHLM is operating at half capacity and requested federal assistance. The team consists of 20 people, which includes physicians, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists and registered nurses. “The deployment of the federal medical assistance team to San Joaquin County will increase intensive care bed capacity by up to 15%. However, hospital staffing shortages remain a challenge for all of our hospitals,” said Dan Burch, San Joaquin County EMS Administrator.County health officials continue to encourage residents to avoid social gatherings, enforce physical distancing and wear a mask to slow the spread of the virus. AHLM was not available for an interview but released a statement to KCRA3. “We also want to remind our community that Adventist Health Lodi Memorial is a safe place to receive care,” a hospital spokesperson wrote. “Community members are urged to continue to seek care when they need it, especially those who are feeling chest pain, experiencing stroke symptoms or having other serious concerns.”It’s unknown how long the federal clinical team will remain in Lodi.
LODI, Calif. —
San Joaquin County health officials said a federal medical assistance team was deployed Wednesday after a surge in COVID-19-related hospitalizations in the area.
Officials with the San Joaquin Office of Emergency Services said Wednesday that intensive care units in the county were operating at 121% capacity, with a total hospital capacity of 71%.
The county adds 28% of the 699 occupied hospital beds countywide are COVID positive patients, while 55% of the 120 occupied ICU beds countywide are COVID positive patients.
The Department of Defense clinical team was sent to Adventist Health Lodi Memorial Hospital (AHLM) so the county can expand its intensive care bed capacity.
AHLM is operating at half capacity and requested federal assistance.
The team consists of 20 people, which includes physicians, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists and registered nurses.
“The deployment of the federal medical assistance team to San Joaquin County will increase intensive care bed capacity by up to 15%. However, hospital staffing shortages remain a challenge for all of our hospitals,” said Dan Burch, San Joaquin County EMS Administrator.
County health officials continue to encourage residents to avoid social gatherings, enforce physical distancing and wear a mask to slow the spread of the virus.
AHLM was not available for an interview but released a statement to KCRA3.
“We also want to remind our community that Adventist Health Lodi Memorial is a safe place to receive care,” a hospital spokesperson wrote. “Community members are urged to continue to seek care when they need it, especially those who are feeling chest pain, experiencing stroke symptoms or having other serious concerns.”
It’s unknown how long the federal clinical team will remain in Lodi.