WACO, TX — The Presidents of Ascension Providence and Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest are urging people to follow the City of Waco's shelter-in-place order.
The President of Ascension Providence, Philip Patterson, and President of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Hillcrest, Glenn Robinson, released a joint statement saying as the number of COVID-19 cases rises in the community, they can attest to how important the order is to maintain the safety of the community.
Patterson and Robinson say the following the order will help "avoid a surge of patients that could overwhelm medical facilities."
"As healthcare leaders who see the impacts of the virus each day, we urge you to please stay home and comply with the "shelter in place" order from the City of Waco that was issued on Monday, March 23. This order for the Waco community is in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, but in order for it to work, everyone must comply," the statement said.
Patterson and Robinson say many in the Waco community have asked what they can do to ease capacity demands on hospitals and lessen the impact to healthcare workers on the frontlines.
"The single most important thing the community can do to help is to follow orders from local leaders and stay home," they said. "If you must go out for essential needs, keep a distance of at least six feet from people outside your household."
"Collectively, Ascension Providence and Baylor Scott & White will continue to do what it takes to meet the healthcare needs of this community. The situation continues to evolve each day, and we will adapt, as necessary, but we need your help in order to have a fighting chance at overcoming this pandemic. The sooner we act, and with your help, the safer our community will be."
