GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.
A new state executive health order that started on Sunday says hospitals and outpatient surgery centers must delay cosmetic procedures until December 1, 2021, unless it could cause harm to the patient.
The Colorado Hospital Association said in a press conference on Thursday, the current number of COVID-19 patients being treated at hospitals statewide make up about 15 to 20% of the total patient volume, but hospitals are currently getting slammed by an early respiratory season including illnesses like the flu. But, the majority of patients taking beds come from preventative care patients that haven’t been seeking treatment.
According to the CHA, the maximum number of staffed hospital beds across the state totals about 10,280, but, a spokesperson for the organization says there are about 900 beds left including 800 for acute care and 100 for intensive care.
On Wednesday, Mesa County Public Health data shows hospital beds are over 94% capacity and ICU beds are over 95%.
Also on Wednesday the state health department reports 1,280 patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
At last report on Wednesday, Mesa County Public Health reports 40 county residents are currently hospitalized with the virus.
An official with Community Hospital says they currently have 13 COVID patients, but staffed to full capacity and continue to evaluate safe patient discharges every couple of hours. The official released a statement to KREX 5/FOX 4 stating, “It is a very fluid situation. We are voluntarily and temporarily postponing some but not all elective surgeries that require post-operative hospitalization. These are evaluated on a case by case basis.”
The Colorado Hospital Association wants Coloradans to know hospitals are open, and you should seek care when necessary, but they need your help to curb the spread of COVID-19. Cara Welch with the CHA says, “We are to a point again where we absolutely need help from Coloradans in order to bring our numbers down so we don’t break our hospital system.”
Last year, the state delayed all non-emergency procedures.
