![\"\"](\"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/TCCovid823.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nOver the last several weeks, daily cases in the community have risen sharply, and the Emergency Department at Adventist Health Sonora has seen unprecedented numbers of patients each day. The total number of admitted patients has also been high, leaving few beds available for patients with emergent medical needs. Given limited space and the high number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital, elective inpatient surgeries are on hold until capacity improves.<\/p>\n
The hospital continues to maintain safe and appropriate staffing levels and is adapting to current needs by bringing on staff in a range of departments and recruiting for several open positions in clinical and non-clinical settings. Still, medical providers are worn thin.<\/p>\n
\u201cExhaustion is an understatement at this point,\u201d Dr. Philip Clarkson, Hospitalist at Adventist Health Sonora, said. \u201cWe’re trained to provide services, care for patients, and in some cases, save lives. We’ll continue to do that. But what’s sad is that so much of this is preventable.\u201d<\/p>\n
COVID-19 hospitalizations are worse now than at any point since the pandemic began, and those hospitalized are almost entirely unvaccinated. From August 1 to 22, 2021, 72 patients have been hospitalized with COVID-19 at Adventist Health Sonora. 64 of those patients were unvaccinated\u2014that\u2019s 89%. Of the nineteen COVID-19 patients who went to the ICU and the sixteen who required ventilators, only one was vaccinated.<\/p>\n
While breakthrough cases of COVID-19 in vaccinated people do happen, having increased with the Delta variant, they are a low percentage of cases, TCPH reports. The risk of severe symptoms, hospitalization, and death is significantly lower for vaccinated individuals who do get COVID-19.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe evidence is clear: vaccination can help shield our loved ones and neighbors here in Tuolumne County from the worst outcomes,\u201d said Michelle Jachetta, TCPH Director. \u201cThe best, most effective thing community members can do to protect themselves, their community, and the capacity of our local healthcare system is to get vaccinated as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Safety measures like wearing a mask in public, washing hands frequently, staying home when sick, and avoiding large gatherings continue to be critical, especially for those who aren\u2019t yet fully vaccinated. Those who have been exposed to COVID-19 should also get tested.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile the current surge in Tuolumne County is incredibly serious, we have tools to get us through the pandemic,\u201d Jachetta said. \u201cIf those who are eligible get vaccinated and everyone continues to practice the other recommended safety measures, we can finally get back on the path toward the normal we\u2019re all missing.\u201d<\/p>\n ###<\/p>\n Resources about Vaccination:<\/b><\/p>\n About the COVID-19 Vaccine | Tuolumne County, CA – Official Website<\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n COVID-19 Vaccine in Sonora, CA | Adventist Health<\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n