Nurses Deland Dooly (left) and Rae Moe care for a patient on a COVID-19 floor recently at Saint Francis Hospital.
Used face shields fill bins on a COVID-19 floor at Saint Francis Hospital.
Saint Francis Health System wants the communities it serves to know that COVID-19 hospitalizations are trending the wrong way and that individuals can help by practicing proper pandemic procedures.
Saint Francis purchased an ad that published Sunday across two pages in the Tulsa World that depicts graphically how hospitalizations in its system have more than doubled since the pandemic’s first peak in the spring.
Saint Francis Health System purchased an ad that published Sunday in the Tulsa World that depicts graphically how COVID-19 hospitalizations in its system have more than doubled since the pandemic's first peak in the spring.
In large red type, the ad states: “We’re headed in the wrong direction,” as well as, “We were doing better when we were in this together.”
In smaller type, the ad notes that Saint Francis is “at a critical capacity” and that the hospital system is asking the public “to stay strong and committed to fighting this pandemic with us” by doing the three W's: wear a mask, wash your hands, watch your distance.
“Please do your part, so we can keep doing ours,” the ad states.
Jake Henry Jr., president and CEO of Saint Francis, said he doesn’t think the trend is sustainable for Saint Francis — the largest health care system in Oklahoma — and that it has hired 18 contract registered nurses as the patient influx rises.
Henry said they aren’t trying to be provocative, just that COVID-19 is surging in cities as well as rural areas in advance of flu season.
“Our folks are just kind of exhausted when they leave their shift after having worn PPE for 12 hours,” Henry said. “So we’ve brought in additional nursing staff, but it’s still a stretch as these numbers go up.”
Christy Pisarra (right), an acute care director at Saint Francis Hospital, pats nurse Angela Merrick on the back as they check on a patient on Friday.
The Saint Francis network saw a high of 55 COVID-19 hospitalizations in March, April and May, which increased to a summer peak of 97 in July. On Wednesday, Saint Francis had 129 COVID-19 patients for its latest record as hospitalizations surge across the state.
The graphic caught the attention of the Washington Post, which Henry said reached out to talk to him Monday about the ad.
Jake Henry Jr., president and CEO of Saint Francis
“We thought by using the graphic and letting folks see where we started and where we are today might be a gentle nudge to always wear a mask, wash hands and watch your distance,” Henry said.
Going into Monday, Oklahoma had set a record for COVID-19 hospitalizations 12 of the past 15 weekdays that data was released by the state.
The latest record was 956 COVID-19 hospitalizations reported statewide Thursday. For COVID-19 patients in ICUs, that record is 319 reported Oct. 19.
For comparison, the state’s high during the summer peak was 663 COVID-19 hospitalizations reported July 28. The record in the first wave was 560 reported on March 30.
On Monday, the state reported 907 COVID-19 hospitalizations, of which 286 were in ICUs.
Saint Francis isn’t the only local hospital network seeing recent increases.
Kaitlin Snider, a spokeswoman for Hillcrest HealthCare System, said COVID-positive patients have increased in its hospital system the past two weeks and averages between 40 and 50 patients per day.
“Bed availability and capacity is constantly changing and fluid,” Snider said in an email. “At any given time, ICU bed capacity at Hillcrest HealthCare System hospitals averages between 90-95%. Today, ICU capacity is at 90%. This includes COVID and non-COVID cases.”
Video: Hospital surge plan addressed by Oklahoma Hospital Association president on Oct. 20
Gallery: COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
How it spreads, who's at risk
Studies have shown many infected people show no symptoms or have symptoms so mild they may go undetected; those people can still transmit COVID-19 to About 20% of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 require hospitalization.
The disease can be fatal, especially for vulnerable populations: those older than 65, living in a nursing home or long-term care facility, and anyone with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or obesity.
Science of virus spread
COVID-19 is spread mainly from person to person via respiratory droplets produced by an infected person. Spread is most likely when people are in close contact, within about 6 feet. A person might also be infected with COVID-19 after touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their face. According to the CDC, evidence suggests the novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces, though that form of transmission is said to be minor.
Transmission between people more than 6 feet from one another may occur in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces, the CDC says, especially where activities cause heavier breathing, such as singing or exercising.
The infectious period for patients can begin up to 48 hours before symptom onset.
List of symptoms
The CDC recently expanded its list of possible symptoms of COVID-19. The symptoms can appear from two days to two weeks after exposure.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms and will continue to be updated by the CDC. One symptom not included is "purple toes," which someone may experience with no other symptoms, sometimes several weeks after the acute phase of an infection is over. The coloration and pain is caused by a lack of blood flow to the toes caused by excessive blood clotting, a late-stage concern with COVID-19 infections.
Kinds of testing
Those getting tested may experience different kinds of swabs. The viral test, known as PCR, involves a deep nasal swab that can be painful.
Other tests that require less-invasive swabs may produce results faster, but with less accuracy. These should not be used diagnostically.
It is not yet known whether COVID-19 antibodies can protect someone being infected again or how long protection might last.
The 'serious seven'
The "serious seven" refer to close contact environments where residents should take extra precautions if they choose to attend. The seven are gyms, weddings, house gatherings, bars, funerals, faith-based activities and other small events, according to Tulsa Health Department Director Bruce Dart.
Treatments being investigated
The FDA has allowed for antiviral drug remdesivir, previously tested on humans with Ebola, to treat more severe cases of COVID-19 in adults and children. Safety and effectiveness aside, preliminary studies have shown it can shorten recovery time for some patients.
After previously approving an emergency use authorization, the FDA as of July 1 cautions against use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for COVID-19 outside of the hospital setting or a clinical trial. A review of safety issues includes reports of serious heart rhythm problems and other safety issues, including blood and lymph system disorders, kidney injuries, and liver problems and failure.
Convalescent serum therapy
Some patients are receiving convalescent serum, meaning the antibodies made by people who have recovered after a COVID-19 infection. Antibody-rich blood plasma is being given to severely or critically ill COVID-19 patients, including Ascension St. John, Saint Francis Health System, OSU Center for Health Sciences and Hillcrest HealthCare System in Tulsa.
From June to July, requests for convalescent plasma from the Oklahoma Blood Institute multiplied seven-fold.
Recovery, as defined by CDC
To be considered recovered (without a test), these three things must happen, the CDC advises:
- No fever for at least 72 hours (three full days of normal temperature without the use of medicine)
- Other symptoms improved (no more cough, etc.)
- At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared
Corey Jones
Staff Writer
I am a general assignment reporter who predominately writes about public health, public safety and justice reform. I'm in journalism to help make this community, state, country and, ultimately, world a better place.
