STHS spoke about Dr. Mike Hill’s involvement in the press conference this week with leading physicians and parish officials to implore the public to understand the danger posed with this latest spike of COVID-19.
The doctors unanimously called for the public’s help in slowing the spread of COVID-19. The hospitals have scaled up more staff and more COVID units to care for patients seriously ill with COVID-19, most of whom are unvaccinated.
At STHS, the number of COVID patients is more than half the inpatient hospital census.
The physicians recommended everyone get vaccinated, wear masks and social distance to reduce spread of the disease. Vaccine clinics are available through all the hospitals as well as local pharmacies, medical offices and clinics.
The elected officials and physicians at the press conference all spoke specifically of the harm that is being caused by misinformation about vaccines. The vaccines are highly effective. They are safe. They are free and available to everyone over 12. They are the most effective intervention the healthcare industry has to fight COVID.
In terms of hard data about the pandemic, more than 90% of STHS physicians are vaccinated. The doctors believe strongly in getting vaccinated themselves and for their families. Meanwhile, nearly 90% of COVID inpatients throughout the Northshore are unvaccinated. STHS says the average age of a hospitalized COVID patient in this fourth spike is 53.
