PEORIA, Ill. — Local hospitalizations for COVID-19 are up, overall, and, to a lesser degree, intensive care unit capacity is down.
UnityPoint Health Regional President and CEO Keith Knepp told WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show” the hospital has three to four times the number of general hospitalized patients for COVID, and double the number of ICU patients as in the spring.
He said that’s the biggest toll it’s taken has been on frontline workers.
“We have more rooms, [and] we have more ventilators,”he said.
“But, there’s only so many people who have the specialized training to take care of ICU COVID patients.”
Knepp said to help, the public can take precautions like frequently washing their hands, social distancing and wearing a mask.
He also admitted he’s concerned about what capacity will look like after the holidays.
“A really thing to contemplate, because everybody’s tired of this, is what about family Thanksgiving? What about Christmas?” he said.
“Isn’t it time family can get back together again? Boy, I sure wish it was, but I’m afraid we could really be in trouble if we all bring a bunch of people into a small room together for a few hours.”
Knepp said as of this week, there was enough personal protective equipment at the hospital to accommodate more patients.
