Hospital responds to COVID increase

 

September 9, 2021



As the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations grows in Montana, Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains is having to adjust as well.

“Sanders County is certainly seeing an uptick in COVID cases,” CFVH CEO Dr. Gregory Hanson said. “We have the lowest vaccination rate of any county in western Montana.” He noted that “we have a very real potential to see a further increase in infection rates” as school recently reopened and with the county fair being held last weekend. Hanson also noted that CFVH observes a low use of masking and social distancing in the county.

As of Monday, there were 30 active COVID cases in Sanders County and 35% of the eligible population had been fully vaccinated.

Hanson noted that 10-20% of current patients are COVID patients, depending on the hospital and the day. He is also seeing changes in characteristics of COVID patients. “Many patients are younger than we saw early on in the pandemic, and most of the patients have generally better health.” Hanson said. “In addition, it appears at least 90% of hospitalized patients are unvaccinated and that vaccinated individuals do not become nearly as ill in general.”

Hanson said that larger hospitals in Montana are experiencing unusually high volumes of non-COVID patients and now COVID patients are adding to those high numbers of patients. Hospitals to which CFVH normally would transfer patients, including Kalispell and Missoula, do not have the ability to accept additional patients. Hanson stated that this is due both to the number of beds that are full and a lack of staff. With that, CFVH has had to transfer patients as far as Great Falls, Bozeman and Billings. He added that Montana hospitals frequently receive requests to take patients from out of state, and now the smaller hospitals in the state are receiving those calls. In turn, Montana hospitals are inquiring to find out if out-of-state hospitals can take patients from here.

CFVH and other hospitals are also seeing some low numbers with supplies. “We and other Montana hospitals are again on allocation for COVID testing supplies,” Hanson said, adding that low staff numbers are also affecting hospitals across the state. “We are seeing a dramatic shortage of nurses in particular, but other staff also, across the country, and it is impacting Montana. Our staff are giving their all to assure patients can be cared for. Please be grateful for their sacrifices.”

CFVH began offering COVID antigen testing last month, and Hanson said they have done about 225 of those tests since August 16. Antigen testing is a different type of COVID test that includes a swab similar to a test for strep throat. Hanson said most people find the antigen test less uncomfortable than the standard Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing that involves obtaining a specimen from deep in the nose. He noted that PCR tests will find a COVID infection sooner, but is also a more complicated test to conduct and supplies are limited. Hanson recommends if someone has symptoms and has exposure history to COVID, they should consider seeing their medical provider and discussing if a PCR test is appropriate.

At a recent meeting with the Sanders County Commissioners, residents asked the commissioners why the county health board was not reviewing alternative COVID treatments, including Ivermectin, and FDA-approved treatment heartworm disease and other parasitic illnesses in animals. “Specific treatment decisions need to be made between patients and their providers,” Hanson said, “but a majority of physicians in the country do not believe the research data support the use of Ivermectin for COVID.

“The fundamental recommendations continue to be wearing a mask, particularly indoors, avoid large groups, quarantine or isolate as appropriate for illness or exposure,” Hanson said. “Also stay home if you’re sick, wash your hands, cough into your elbow. In addition, talk with your medical provider and get vaccinated if appropriate.

“Let us not forget to be kind to one another as we deal with this pandemic,” Hanson said.

 

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