Austin-Area Hospitals Issue Plea To Get Vaccinated

Austin TX

06 August, 2021

1:16 PM

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AUSTIN, TX — Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White Health and St. David's HealthCare have issued a plea for Austin Metro residents to get vaccinated as COVID-19 hospitalizations put a "significant strain" on its health care workers. On Friday, the hospitals sent out a letter stating they have seen an increase rate of severe illness and hospitalizations in the community. Officials said the vast majority of the patients being treated for COVID-19 infections are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, and the hospitalizations are putting a strain on their health care workers. "We urge the community to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones—and to lessen the burden on our frontline workers who have been fighting this virus for the last year and a half," the hospitals said. "COVID-19 vaccines are the safest and most effective way to end the pandemic. Everyone in our community plays a crucial role in helping us all stay healthy and safe. We encourage every eligible person to get vaccinated so can we stop this virus from spreading." Texas DSHS also reports Friday there are 4,593 staffed hospital beds, 477 available hospital beds, 19 available ICU beds and 314 available ventilators in Region O. (Shutterstock) Patch reached out to the area hospitals on Friday for more information on the state of their hospitals capacity and staffing; however, a spokesperson for the three hospitals informed us this was all the information they could release at this time. On Thursday, Austin-Travis County upgraded its COVID-19 risk-based guidance to Stage 5 as coronavirus cases, specifically cases of the delta variant, spike in the area. Stage 5 asks high-risk vaccinated people as well as partially vaccinated and unvaccinated people to avoid private indoor gatherings altogether with or without masks. MORE ON THAT STORY: Stage 5 COVID-19 Risk: Austin, Travis County Upgrades Guidelines The move comes after the seven-day average for new hospital admissions moved to 67 with an average of 389 people being hospitalized, according to Austin Public Health Wednesday. The County's Health Authority, Dr. Desmar Walkes, said Thursday ICUs are seeing younger people and longer stays from patients – most of whom are unvaccinated – which adds strain to hospitals. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, about 63.33 percent (695,646) of eligible Travis County residents (12 and older) are fully vaccinated as of Friday. About 806,980 have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccines. Of those fully vaccinated, 25,205 are between the ages of 12-15. About 34,366 of those in that age group have received at least one dose of the vaccine. In the Austin Metro, which includes Travis and Williamson counties, 483 patients are being hospitalized for the virus. Of those hospitalizations, 167 are in the ICU and 103 are on ventilators. (Shutterstock) "This surge is by far the fastest and the most aggressive that we've seen," Walkes said. DSHS also reports Friday there are 4,593 staffed hospital beds, 477 available hospital beds, 19 available ICU beds and 314 available ventilators in Region O. The counties that make up Region O are Travis, Williamson, Hays, Caldwell, Burnet, Blanco, Bastrop, San Saba, Llano, Lee and Fayette. Since Thursday, 45 staffed beds became available, 12 beds (without staff) became unavailable, two staffed ICU beds became available and 13 ventilators became unavailable. DSHS reports about 552 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients are currently in the hospital and 3,925 have been hospitalized total. Since Thursday, 46 COVID-19 patients were admitted in the hospital. On Monday, the region only had seven available ICU beds. While availabilities may have risen, the numbers still remain low for Region O, which covers 11 counties and more than 2.3 million residents. On July 30, Walkes said the region's ICU capacity has reached a "critical point" and that "we are running out of time." "Our community must act now ...Our ICU capacity is reaching a critical point where the level of risk to the entire community has significantly increased, and not just to those who are needing treatment for COVID. If we fail to come together as a community now, we jeopardize the lives of loved ones who might need critical care." In the Austin Metro, which includes Travis and Williamson counties, 483 patients are hospitalized for the virus. Of those hospitalizations, 167 are in the ICU and 103 are on ventilators. According to Austin-Travis County, there were 91,894 total COVID-19 cases in the county with 901 total deaths as of Thursday. About 3,412 cases remain active. As COVID-19 cases rise, Austin Public Health is asking residents to do the following: High-risk individuals are asked to avoid indoor and outdoor private gatherings altogether, with or without precautions, avoid travel unless it is essential, consider dining outdoors with precautions and that shopping should be takeaway or curbside.For low-risk individuals, indoor and outdoor private gatherings should be with precautions, travel and shopping should also be with precautions and dining should be outdoors and with precautions.People should get the COVID-19 vaccine. Austin and Travis County have free clinics open to the public. To see where you can get a vaccine, visit the city-county website. RELATED COVERAGE: Pflugerville Has Highest COVID-19 Cases In Travis County Leander ISD Recommends Students Mask Up In Fall 2021 'Immunity Takes Community': WilCo Campaign Encourages Vaccines