02 AUG 2021

COVID Case Surge Spurs Actions, Call For Vaccination

With NorthBay Medical Center already operating at or near capacity, the rapid rise of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the past month has stretched resources thin – even with all hands on deck – spurring leaders to limit visitation and hone surge plans.

“We’ve seen the number of our COVID-19 cases grow by 900 percent since July 6 at our Fairfield hospital,” said Chief Medical Officer Seth Kaufman, M.D. “And consistently, 80 percent or more are of these serious COVID cases are unvaccinated individuals.”

In the past week, the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients has doubled at NorthBay Medical Center, while NorthBay Urgent Care has been inundated by individuals seeking tests.

“The Delta variant is so contagious that we are experiencing an increase in cases at a speed not experienced before in all areas, from our hospitalized patients to those diagnosed in our clinics that are well enough to be home,” said Dr. Kaufman.

Solano County is currently reporting a 19.3 percent seven-day positivity rate, with 972 active cases and 51 hospitalizations.

“It is more important than any time since the beginning of the pandemic that we do everything possible to keep ourselves and patients safe,” said Dr. Kaufman. “Despite the Delta variant truly being a new virus, I know we have the expertise to keep ourselves and our patients safe. We know the vaccines are effective.”

In Solano County, 70 percent of eligible individuals have received at least one vaccination; 58 percent are fully vaccinated.

“NorthBay will continue to be a leader in COVID prevention strategy, as we have been since the beginning of the pandemic, providing the highest level of quality care to our patients,” said Dr. Kaufman.

Part of that strategy is to offer free vaccinations to the general public from 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday in the Welcome Pavilion at NorthBay Medical Center and between 8 and 10 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in NorthBay VacaValley Hospital.

Appointments can be made by visiting myturn.ca.gov, although walk-ins are also welcome. NorthBay Healthcare patients may schedule a vaccine at their primary care facility.

Starting Monday, hospital visits are discouraged except in certain situations:

  • One support person is allowed to accompany a laboring mother;
  • Pediatric and NICU patients may have two designated support persons present;
  • Patients with disabilities may have a support person;
  • Two visitors may be present for a patient at the end of life; and
  • End-of-life COVID patients may have one visitor for up to one hour.

“Our dedicated team of professionals is doing everything it can to serve this community in its time of need,” said Aimee Brewer, president of NorthBay Healthcare Group. “Now we need our community to do its part – get vaccinated, wear a mask, wash your hands and socially distance.”

 

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