NewsLocal NewsIn Your NeighborhoodBrazos County

Actions

Brazos County hospitals say they have plans if they reach capacity during pandemic

Posted at 5:48 PM, Jul 20, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-20 18:48:56-04

BRAZOS COUNTY, TX — A big question throughout the pandemic has been what will happen when local hospitals reach capacity.

In Brazos County, there has been a steady reporting of COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

The Brazos County Health District is now reporting a total of 3,407 cases to date.

With two major hospitals, CHI St Joseph Health and Baylor Scott & White, Brazos County has not hit total capacity yet.

Both hospitals say they have plans in place in case they do.

In a statement from CHI St Joseph Health, they say, “Any capacity concerns at CHI St. Joseph Health would trigger our surge plans and involve a coordinated effort with the Brazos County Health District and the Regional Advisory Council, our medical professionals, and other hospitals in the community."

Baylor Scott and White said in their statement they, “are continuously evaluating opportunities to build additional capacity in our hospitals in anticipation of future needs related to the treatment of patients diagnosed with COVID-19.”

CHI St Joseph Health said they’ve, “identified locations at each of our hospitals where we can care for COVID-19 positive patients.”

According to CHI St. Joesph Health, they have not had to trigger a surge plan for their hospitals throughout the pandemic.

Currently, Brazos County’s total ICU bed capacity is down 5% from Thursday to 71% as the Brazos County Health District reported 10 positive cases Monday.

Health professionals at both hospitals continue urging the community to wear face masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19