Hunter
11/06/20
The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has officially activated its coronavirus surge plan, starting with the first stage.
The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that the first stage involves adding 16 intensive care unit beds to its current level of 100, expanding testing capacity, and doubling staffing at its influenza-like-illness clinic, which saw a record 1089 visits on Wednesday alone.
UIHC CEO Suresh Gunasekaran said the recent surge in cases and hospitalizations triggered the enactment of their plan. He said the hospital should have the first-stage changes in place by the middle of the month, and will keep it at least at that level into the new year.
If the surge in cases and hospitalizations causes the hospital to move to the third stage, there would be double the number of ICU beds. Gunasekaran said that beyond that, the situation would be “pretty dire.”
During a virtual press conference, Gunasekaran said that staffing is also a concern, as another 27 employees tested positive for COVID 19. New quarantine procedures for employees have been enacted that will allow those exposed to the virus but have no symptoms and test negative to keep working.
Earlier in the month, Gunasekaran urged Iowans to step up mitigation efforts, staying out of public places whenever possible, and foregoing traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas family get-togethers, limiting celebrations to immediate households.