Prisma Health today held a press conference concerning vaccine supply, vaccine administration, mobile unit outreach, the new adjusted visitation policy, and changes to the hospital-based drive through testing.
Dr. Saria Saccocio, Ambulatory Chief Medical Officer and Co-chair of Prisma's COVID-19 task force, said the vaccine supply has stabilized in recent weeks in thanks to DHEC's utilizations of regional data. This week Prisma administered more than 22,230 vaccines system wide. Next week, Prisma expects to receive 30,400 vaccine doses. As of March 25, Prisma has administered 283,600 vaccines.
Angela Orsky, Vice President Post Acute Services at Prisma Health, reported great progress in reaching out to group home, homeless, and homebound populations for vaccination. Locally, a paramedic team was able to provide vaccinations at Thrive Upstate. Mobile units have also been helping to reach populations experiencing barriers with vaccine awareness, technical difficulties, and transportation.
Saccocio also reported stabilization of in-patient numbers has allowed expanded patient visitation. Currently, Prisma has approximately 110 to 120 COVID in-patients per day, a drop from the January peak of 550 per day. The expanded visitation began earlier this week, but all COVID precautions must still be utilized. The updated visitation policy is available here.
Lastly, Saccocio announced hospital-based drive through testing is being phased out. Prisma's Upstate hospital-based COVID testing locations like Greenville Memorial will be closed at the end of today. COVID-19 testing will still be available at primary care physician offices. The decision was made due to a substantially decreased demand for hospital-based drive through testing.
First dose appointments are made available on Tuesdays and Thursdays through MyChart.