Upstate health leaders today called on the community to take immediate preventative action against COVID-19 during the holiday season.
Experts from AnMed Health, Bon Secours St. Francis – Greenville, Prisma Health, Self-Regional Healthcare and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System all spoke at the meeting.
A release from Prisma said officials are deeply concerned with the growing number of COVID-19 infections after Thanksgiving, especially with Christmas and the New Year approaching.
"Unless the community takes immediate steps to stop the spread, an even higher surge is expected following this holiday season," the release stated.
Dr. Chris Lombardozzi, Chief Medical Officer with Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, said the fact that all the hospital systems came together to make a joint statement to the Upstate speaks to the seriousness of the situation.
Each of the speakers mentioned the capacity strain on their systems. Dr. Wendell James, Chief Clinical Officer with Prisma Upstate, recalled a critical point in the summer when officials had previously addressed the public about safety. At today's meeting, he said they have surpassed that critical moment in the summer.
"We have done as much as we can do; we need the partnership of the community," James said. "We need you to help us and take precautions during Christmas and New Year's."
Dr. Marcus Blackstone, Chief Clinical Officer with Bon Secours St. Francis, said their beds are full and their capacity to care for patients is strained at this point, whether those are COVID-19 patients or non-COVID-19 patients. He also noted that Greenville County has been leading the state in COVID-19 cases by a large margin for several weeks, according to DHEC.
All of the officials warned against large gatherings. Dr. Matthew Logan with Self-Regional Healthcare said he has been caring for patients who had no symptoms at Thanksgiving and spread COVID at a family gathering. Now multiple family members are deeply sick.
Building on that, Dr. Brad Mock, Chief Medical Officer with AnMed Health, asked people keep numbers small at holiday gatherings and adhere to all best practices against COVID-19, such as social distancing, hand washing, mask use, etc.
