WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, East Ohio Regional Hospital Seeing More COVID-19 Patients
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WHEELING -- The number of patients coming to WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital with COVID has increased in recent weeks.
Thea Gompers, hospital spokeswoman, said the emergency room is seeing about 10 COVID patients per day. Between three and five people with COVID are being admitted for treatment each day. And currently there are about 30 people admitted with COVID, she said.
"There has definitely been an increase," Gompers said Monday.
While the latest COVID news has centered around the newest variant, omicron, Gompers said the patients being treated at the hospital still are being infected with the delta variant of the virus.
The infected patients are largely unvaccinated, she added.
"If people would like to know what they can do for us, they can get vaccinated," she said. "Please get vaccinated to help the hospital."
Gompers said much like the rest of the country, Wheeling Hospital is short-staffed when it comes to nurses and other medical professionals. Though they are short-staffed, she said the hospital is still able to handle its caseload.
"Nationwide hospitals are trying to hire people," she said.
And when staff members get sick and must take time off that makes it difficult, too, she noted.
In Martins Ferry, East Ohio Regional Hospital also has seen an increase in COVID patients lately, said Bernie Albertini, chief operating officer of EORH.
"Currently, our ER patient base is approximately 40% COVID-related," Albertini said Monday. "With the new Omicron variant, many of those patients are able to be discharged. Of those being admitted, the vast majority are unvaccinated."
Albertini noted if a patient is experiencing COVID-like symptoms, "it is never too soon to seek medical help."
"As the local community hospital in the area, we take seriously keeping our citizens healthy and fighting against COVID," he said. "EORH is currently offering COVID testing and the response has been very brisk all day today with cars lined up down the block with patients waiting to be tested."