For First Time, Austin Metro Ran Out Of Staffed Adult ICU Beds

Austin TX

08 September, 2021

4:31 PM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — For the first time since the pandemic began, Central Texas officially ran out of staffed ICU beds and pediatric beds over Labor Day weekend. Region O, which covers 11 counties, including Travis and Williamson Counties, serves more than 2.3 million residents. Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County health authority, said Tuesday prior to the lack of staffed beds, the ICU system has been "extremely strained." "This is a serious situation that impacts not only COVID-19 treatment, but any critical care treatment needed by patients within our community," Walkes said. Austin Mayor Steve Adler implored the importance of having staffed ICU beds available in a letter on Wednesday. Siding with Walkes, he said without beds, it can put "everyone's wellbeing on the line." "Certainly, no one should be turned away so make sure you seek the help you need. But being this overloaded impacts the quality of the care that can be received," Adler said. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the region saw two available staffed ICU beds and six staffed pediatric ICU beds on Monday, which is a small jump from Sunday. Live in Austin? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone. The data reports there were 678 total lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients at area hospitals on Monday. Of those hospitalized, 414 were adults in general beds, 250 were adults in ICU beds, 14 were children and 187 patients were on ventilators. As of Wednesday afternoon, there were 549 people being hospitalized for the virus (a nine person jump since Tuesday) in Travis County, including 205 in the ICU and 144 on ventilators. When it comes to coronavirus cases, both the state and county have seen high case numbers and deaths. As of Tuesday, there were 5,964 new cases and 128 new deaths in Texas, according to DSHS data. In Austin-Travis County, there were 647 new cases and 23 new deaths on Wednesday. In total, there were 107,895 cases and 1,004 deaths. Last week, 36 people died from COVID -19, which is the highest weekly death count in more than a year. But despite all this, Austin Public Health reports hospitalizations have reached its lowest level in more than a month. On Tuesday, reported only 50 new daily hospital admissions, which lowered the rolling seven-day average. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the region saw two available staffed ICU beds and six staffed pediatric ICU beds on Monday, which is a small jump from Sunday. (Shutterstock) The new average, 59, was not only lower than Friday's average of 66 but also the lowest since Aug. 1, when the average was 58. APH measures this data using a gauge to help determine how the most medically vulnerable can protect against the coronavirus. Health officials also reported its hospitalization numbers on Tuesday was a significant improvement from the 584 needing inpatient care on Friday — and the pandemic record high of 653 patients set two weeks ago on Aug. 25. The last time the Austin area's COVID-19 inpatient total was this low was on Aug. 8, when 539 people were hospitalized, authorities said. Walkes on Tuesday said she and her team plan to monitor data in the days following Labor Day, but added that anyone who attended a large gathering or went on vacation over the weekend should watch for coronavirus symptoms. Walkes said if people do experience COVID-19 symptoms they should contact their local provider to see if they are eligible for monoclonal antibody therapy at the regional infusion center. The treatment is used to help reduce the chances of a person experiencing severe symptoms that need hospitalization. While therapy treatment helps those who may be positive with the virus, local officials said the best response to prevent yourself from catching COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and mask up. People without vaccines are about 17 times more likely to end up in a hospital than someone vaccinated, the mayor's letter states. DSHS reports about 68.12 percent of Travis County residents, who are eligible for the vaccine, are fully vaccinated as of Wednesday. About 863,877 people are partially vaccinated. "This is why the choice not to get vaccinated is not just a choice with personal implications. We all need to recognize how our choices impact others in the community," Adler said. "It's up to every one of us to do everything in our power to slow down the spread of the Delta variant." Live in Austin? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone. MORE COVID-19 NEWS: Pflugerville ISD Staff Push For Paid COVID-19 Leave Pflugerville Fire Sees Finance 'Strain' Following COVID Response WilCo Precinct 1 Justice Of The Peace Closed Again Due To COVID