Even though the number of COVID-positive patients continue to climb in this area, the number of COVID patients admitted to the local hospital remains stable.

On average, Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center has between 12 and 15 COVID-19 positive patients in the hospital’s COVID unit on a daily basis, according to spokesperson Jeremy Cocanougher. “The number of COVID patients has been stable over the past three to four weeks,” he added.

All patients who have tested positive for the virus are cared for in the special COVID unit. However, not all patients in the unit have been admitted because of the virus, Cocanougher said. Some patients are in the hospital for health reasons other than COVID, he explained.

“We keep all of the COVID positive patients in the unit to keep them away from other patients and staff.”
As of Wednesday morning, Cocanougher said the unit still had beds available for patients who have contracted the virus. He said the average stay for these patients was six or seven days.

Since the pandemic hit the area in the spring, and running through September, the hospital had 130 COVID patients, Cocanougher said. In October alone, the hospital had 76 COVID patients. In the first 10 days of November, 24 COVID patients have been admitted, he said.

The hospital has increased the number of COVID beds in the unit since the pandemic infiltrated into Boyle County, he said. Hospital administration is “looking at other options,” if the need for more arises.

Cocanougher said the Emphraim McDowell Regional Medical Center, as well as Ft. Logan and Haggin hospitals are continuing to keep about a 90-day supply of PPE. He also said they are not experiencing any medical staff shortages at this time.