-
Southeast Georgia Health System patient census, Aug. 24
Camden County public safety officials issued an urgent plea this week — please save 9-1-1 resources for only the most serious of emergencies.
COVID-19 is impacting the community to such an extent that our emergency medical workers are having trouble meeting the demand.
“Camden County is experiencing a high number of 911 calls for COVID-19 symptoms. On average, 45% of all 911 calls are now COVID-19 related,” said a news release on Wednesday from Camden County Fire Rescue.
While the department recognizes the community infection rate in Camden County is extremely high and understands that this is behind the increase in calls, emergency workers say many of these calls are not actual emergencies.
“In many cases the symptoms of the caller can be managed by contacting their primary care doctor and following the (Centers for Disease Control) guidelines,” the release said.
Emergency medical resources in Camden County are not unlimited and the increase in calls is putting local agencies close to capacity.
“Responding to calls that are not an emergency reduces our overall ability to respond to actual emergencies throughout the county,” stated Charles Lowther, EMS chief at Camden County Fire Rescue.
As has been widely reported our area hospitals are also working at or near capacity.
“That means that on arrival by ambulance, all patients are assessed and prioritized for the type and speed of care provided by the receiving hospital. Patients arriving by ambulance may still have a lengthy wait for treatment due to being placed in the waiting room if a room is unavailable,” the release stated.
Obviously, emergency medical services are still advised for those who are experiencing chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke symptoms, trauma/injury or other reasons that would cause a reasonable to believe it is an emergency.
COVID statistics
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, only about 31 percent of Camden County is fully vaccinated. Countywide, there have been 530 positive COVID test results in the last two weeks. When adjusted per capital, Camden has a case rate per 100,000 people of 983 over the last two weeks, which is much higher than the same statistic for the state of Georgia (681).
Camden County has recorded 47 confirmed death, nine probable deaths and 180 hospitalizations due to COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
The Georgia Department of Public Health website also shows that Georgia hospital region J, which includes Camden and all of the state’s coastal counties, reflects that 892 general impatient beds are currently occupied out of 969 total beds, which means 92% of available beds are currently in use. The region is using only 44% of its available ventilators.
According to Southeast Georgia Health System’s patient census on Tuesday, Aug. 24, the 40-bed Camden Campus had 33 COVID-positive inpatients with 24 non-ICU patients (five vaccinated) and 9 ICU patients (0 vaccinated) hospitalized.
Tests and vaccines
Mako Medical, a state contractor, provides testing services in St. Marys each Tuesday and Thursday, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Camden County Health Department’s clinic at 905 Dilworth St. Appointments are not required; however, pre-registration will help the line move more quickly at the testing site. You can begin the online pre-registration process at gachd.org/covidtest.
For scheduling assistance, call the COVID-19 Testing Call Center at (912) 230-9744 Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
For information about other COVID-19 testing opportunities in Georgia, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health website at dph.georgia.gov/covidtesting.
Free COVID-19 vaccines are still available through Southeast Georgia Health System, Coastal Health District and many provide healthcare providers in the community.