TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Officials with Union Health confirm the hospital is seeing its fourth COVID-19 surge. To help with increased patient volume, the hospital will bring back its tent outside the emergency room.
This is the third time a tent has been set up outside the hospital since the pandemic began. The tent will be used to triage patients. No patients have been seen in the tent yet. The tent can accommodate up to seven people.
According to Chief Medical Officer for Union, Dr. John Bolinger, COVID-19 cases in Vigo County have gone up significantly.
He adds officials decided on Wednesday to implement the tent, but it was physically put up on December 16. The Indiana Department of Health sent out concerns to hospitals across the state about another COVID-19 surge, potentially overwhelming staff.
“Another surge is coming, it’s probably going to be worse than any we’ve seen so far as volume is concerned. We’d like the community to do everything they can to prevent themselves from getting sick,” He added.
Union is reporting an average of 52 hospitalized patients, between 14 to 16 in the ICU and 10 plus people on ventilators.
Bolinger confirms a majority of these have been the Delta variant with no cases of Omicron.
A staffing shortage is also contributing to this issue.
“We’re having to find creative ways to staff more beds for the number of beds and in patients we have,” Bolinger added.
A potential stronger Flu and Influenza season could add to hospitalizations.
Bolinger recommends people be vaccinated, wear a mask and be cautious.
‘Especially during the holidays. We’ve kind of loosened up a bit and I get it. People should wear masks and not
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