Hospitals in Houston prepare for increase in COVID-19 cases

HOUSTON – Health experts from the Memorial Hermann Hospital and the Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center says they are prepared for the next few weeks.

It’s an endless battle with COVID-19. Business is still rising in Houston and Harris County.

‘We certainly continue to ask for help from the residents of greater Houston to help us stop this disease. Be patient, use the mask, use social distance, let us wash our hands so that we can limit the need for hospitalization, ”said Dr. David Callender, President and CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System.

On Tuesday, the Texas Medical Center reported 4,515 new cases and 388 new hospitalizations.

“We are concerned that all the benchmarks are going to get even worse before it gets better,” Callender said.

TMC said there are 1,405 people in the ICU. Of the people, 511 have COVID-19. Several hospitals in our area already have plans in place as the numbers get worse.

‘We’re not worried about beds, it’s one thing we have a lot for. Our hospital has two campuses, so we have a second campus on which we can expand if we need to, “said Dr. Liz Youngblood, president of Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center.

“We’ve changed a little bit of space that’s not normally used for beds into the care space in light of this increased demand, so we’re not sitting out of beds, but it’s clear we’m worried,” Callender said.

Both hospitals also have additional staff, agencies and travel workers who are ready to help.

“We’re all busy, everyone’s all busy, and it’s not just about COVID-19. There’s also a regular demand for hospital service that exists among people who get trauma victims from a heart attack,” Callender said.