LUBBOCK, Texas– Covenant Health responded to the community about frequently asked questions COVID-19 concerns, also known as coronavirus, and how that affects Covenant.
As of April 22 at 4:00 p.m., Covenant responded to the following FAQs:
- 1) The hospitals are not full of COVID-19 patients. Currently, our hospitals are less than half full and a small percentage of those patients have tested positive for COVID-19. Elective procedures make up a large part of the hospital census. Due to the Governor’s mandate to temporarily stop those procedures, our hospitals are sitting at less than half of capacity. Right now, our COVID-19 positive patients make up less than 2.5% of our overall capacity.
- 2) Not all COVID-19 patients are in the hospitals. In fact, in our region about 2% of positive patients are hospitalized for COVID-19 complications. 81% of COVID-19 patients have mild to no symptoms.
- 3) Out of all the people who are tested, less than 10% of people test positive. Many other illnesses, such as strep or allergy issues, have similar symptoms to that of COVID-19. Out of those people tested, a majority of them are sick with COVID-19. Some people are tested because of a possible exposure, but the chances of someone getting sick from someone outside of a close family member is low.
- 4) All COVID-19 patients are within a small portion of our hospital. Patients who test positive for COVID-19 are isolated on two specific floors of the hospital. These patients do not travel from unit to unit and their nurses are not working anywhere other than their specified unit. No visitors are allowed on these two floors and caregivers are assigned for essential care only.
- 5) The public should be wearing masks while out in public and should continue to practice social distancing. We encourage the community to follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines by wearing masks while out in public for essential services. The masks will not protect you from contracting the COVID-19 virus, but it will protect you from spreading the illness to others if you are infected and do not display any symptoms. Community members should continue to stay at home and practice social distancing while out for essential services.
- 6) The public can help by being vigilant, educated, and calm. Get information from approved sources such as the CDC, local health department, and hospital websites. Follow precautions such as good hand washing and avoiding travel to identified hot spots. Finally, stay calm. Local health care providers are prepared to handle patients should they present with COVID-19.