Smithfield, NC Coronavirus cases are increasing throughout North Carolina, and hospitals in the area are becoming scarce.
On Monday, there was a new record high for people treated for COVID-19 in hospitals around the world, at 3,192. Johnston County Health also achieves maximum capacity in both its Clayton and Smithfield hospitals.
“There just aren’t enough nurses to go around and take care of all the patients,” said Dr. Rodney McCaskill, chief medical officer of Johnston Health, said.
Despite the increase in patients, the number of employees remains the same.
‘I think, if you asked me the question that makes me stay up at night, [it] is about our staff. If you can think that the patients work there, and that’s why they work so hard and tirelessly every day, then you have to get up and come back the next day, ‘said Tom Williams, CEO and President Johnston Health.
“It comes at a point where there will be no resources available if additional patients come in,” McCaskill added.
Elsewhere, Cape Fear Valley Health is moving closer to 100% capacity. The chief medical officer, dr. Sam Fleishman, does not hide his discomfort.
“We are very concerned about what this means for our ability to care for people now and in the coming months,” Fleishman said. “It was difficult, our staff was stretched. They all work very hard. Everyone wants to draw and use every resource to take care of everyone we can. ”
Currently in North Carolina, 21% of those admitted to the hospital are expected to have or be suspected of having COVID. Christmas and New Year’s gatherings let doctors and health officials prepare for even greater numbers for the next few weeks.
“It’s getting to a crisis point, if it was a tsunami or hurricane, I would say it’s hitting now,” Fleishman said. ‘The damage is here (and) we are dealing with the emergency to try to fix it, except that it is much longer than a hurricane. It continues. ”
“We’ve definitely been experiencing a boom since Thanksgiving,” McCaskill said. “Our concern, which we expected, is most likely gatherings that took place at Christmas and the coming New Year.”
In addition, Fleishman says the overwhelming numbers lead to a shortage of nursing – a problem that many other parts of the country are also experiencing.
“I would like people to think about this pandemic, just as I think our people did when we were in World War II or in the time of the Great Depression,” he said. we all need to do their part. ”