PEORIA, Ill. — Keith Knepp, Regional CEO of UnityPoint Health, confirms local hospitals do expect to see more coronavirus cases in the coming weeks.
He told WMBD’s Greg and Dan, if you’re healthy, but think you have the virus, don’t rush to the hospital.
“Individuals with chronic heart disease or renal disease, on dialysis, or other things where they have to be treated at the hospital, really don’t want those with minor illnesses, particularly the coronavirus, coming in,” Knepp said.
Knepp said testing for the coronavirus is going on here in the Peoria area, where it’s deemed necessary.
State health officials announced on Sunday there are 93 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 13 counties, including one in Woodford County announced on Saturday.
Knepp said over the next few days, UnityPoint Health will put off less important procedures at its hospitals.
“We will be allowing our surgeons discretion on cases they do. We’ve asked them though to only perform surgeries that they consider to be essential for the rest of the week. For Tuesday through Friday,” Knepp said.
Knepp said hospital space, especially operating facilities, need to be available for higher risk patients as the COVID-19 virus spreads.
The area’s first positive COVID-19 case was announced in Woodford County over the weekend.
To help limit the spread of the coronavirus, UnityPoint Health has said no visitors to its hospitals will be admitted unless critically essential for the patient’s well-being.
