FAYETTEVILLE – August 24, 2021 – As Cape Fear Valley Health System is facing an all-time high rate of COVID-19 admissions, administrators with the health system are reminding the public that while medical emergencies should not be delayed, there are also many other medical issues that can be treated in Urgent Care and Express Care locations, rather than Emergency Departments.
“Health systems across the state are being challenged to provide timely Emergency Department beds as COVID-19 patients are filling ICUs and other critical care areas,” said Chief Clinical Officer Michael Zappa, M.D. “We are also encouraging people to get vaccinated, especially in light of the recent news that the Pfizer vaccine has received its final FDA approval.”
Medical emergencies should continue to come to the Emergency Department, such as chest pain which might be a heart attack, severe headaches or weakness which could be stroke symptoms, difficulty breathing, or serious accidents with injuries. The health system has a “know where to go” chart to help patients decide if they could be treated at another office such as a primary care physician, urgent care, or express care.
The vaccine remains the best defense against COVID-19, even with some positive cases among the vaccinated.
“Most of the people who are getting sick enough to require hospitalization are unvaccinated,” said Chief Medical Officer Samuel Fleishman, M.D. “This is why it’s important for people to get vaccinated. The vaccine has been and continues to be extremely effective in the most important area: preventing hospitalizations and death. Ninety to ninety-five percent of the patients we are admitting with COVID that require critical care and needing to go on ventilators could have largely been prevented with vaccination. Furthermore, these patients are younger and healthier than the prior COVID surge, and yet they are succumbing to the illness.”
Last week, the CDC released guidance allowing immunocompromised individuals to receive a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, if they were at least 28 days post their second shot. Starting Sept. 20, non-immunocompromised individuals will be eligible to receive a booster shot, if they are at least eight months post their second dose.
Individuals who have had COVID-19 and were treated with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma must be at least 90 days past their treatment to receive a vaccination shot or a booster shot. Individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 but did not receive either of those treatments can receive a vaccination shot at any time after their quarantine period.
On Monday, the health system had 174 COVID-19 positive patients in its hospitals, including 139 at Cape Fear Medical Center. Previously, the highest number of COVID-19 patients in the medical center was 130 back in January. Monday’s figure also included five pediatric patients, which is more than the hospital has seen at one time so far.
While the health system is not yet cancelling all elective surgeries, certain surgeries may be postponed, depending on whether an overnight bed is required and what beds are available.
On Wednesday, Aug. 25, Cape Fear Valley Health will also have a special community update on the COVID-19 situation at the hospital, and to alert the public of the potential crisis should the numbers continue to rise. The intent is to ring the alarm about the current situation and to urge the public’s help to avoid a crisis. Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Michael Zappa will lead the team in discussions. Other members include Infection Control and Prevention and Mental Health experts. The broadcast can be seen via Cape Fear Valley’s Facebook page and on WIDU radio at noon.