(Seguin) – The current surge of COVID-19 cases at Guadalupe Regional Medical Center reportedly includes a larger percentage of hospitalizations of younger age groups than the prior two surges.
GRMC officials say persons aged 50 to 59 accounted for the age group with the highest percentage of hospitalizations in the first and second surge followed by persons 80 plus. During this third surge, persons 50 to 59 still have the highest percentage of hospitalizations but persons aged 30 to 39 and 40 to 49 are next highest percentages hospitalized, respectively.
The local hospital has been experiencing a surge in the number of COVID-19 admitted patients for the last nine weeks. GRMC is currently caring for 44 COVID patients in addition to its non-COVID census.
The 7-day moving average for COVID hospitalizations is 42 per day. The 7-day moving average for new COVID admissions is 6 per day.
GRMC has recently seen a minor increase in the number of patients from local areas presenting with active COVID-19 disease requiring hospitalization.
They also note that 89 percent of patients currently hospitalized at GRMC for COVID-19 are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated.
Following CDC guidelines, GRMC considers people who are two weeks out from completion of second doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines or one dose of the J&J vaccine to be “fully vaccinated”. GRMC continues to encourage the public to practice prevention measures. They say get vaccinated if your family doctor confirms that you are an appropriate candidate.
Meanwhile, this COVID-19 surge of patients has stressed GRMC systems and local health care providers as they all work diligently to care for the high volume of critical care patients with limited additional staff.
Patients who test positive for COVID-19 with mild to moderate disease and risk factors for progression to severe disease are candidates for monoclonal antibody infusions. GRMC has been working with Guadalupe County and off-duty paramedics to provide this outpatient service to its high-risk populations. Infusions are for treatment of active COVID-19 disease and should not be confused with the protective effect of vaccination.