Abilene Receives Mobile Morgue Ahead of Possible COVID-19 Surge

 

ABILENE, TX -- Even though Trauma Service D, which includes Taylor County, has maintained a relatively low COVID-19 hospitalization rate, Hendrick Medical Center is preparing a mobile morgue.

According to hospital officials, Abilene is expected to face a new surge of the virus and the current medical facilities would not be able to keep up.

The mobile morgue has not been set up, but it onsite at the hospital.

In addition to the mobile morgue, the hospital is also preparing for the possible uptick of coronavirus cases. 

Hendrick's is planning to have alternative care sites like tents and vacated areas of the hospitals. Even though the alternative areas could help ease the burden on the hospital, they are not ideal for caring for patients.

“Although we have not been wrong on our past predictions, I hope I’m wrong on this one," said CEO Brad Holland.

To keep the community apprised of the current situation the hospital created a Community Safety Level Alert. The alert features 6 levels in terms of community safety.

The levels have been identified as the following:

  • New Normal
  • Level 1: Cautious
  • Level 2: Concern
  • Level 3: High Risk
  • Level 4: Severe
  • Level 5: Critical
  • Level 6: Emergency Economic Shutdown
Community Safety Level Alert

Community Safety Level Alert

Abilene is currently at Level 5 because there are no available ICU beds in any of the 3 hospitals and there are currently 102 patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Additionally, 78 employees are in quarantine and 76 nurses are currently on loan from the state.

If the area reaches Level 6, then Governor Abbott will have the ability to "shut down the economy because total hospital capacity is over 15-percent."

According to Holland, until the vaccine is widely available the community should focus on "social accountability."

This includes upholding Abbott's mandates, ordinances, and business requests for employees and customers. The hospital CEO recommends above and beyond ring a mask, social distancing, and frequent hand washing.

"What we have done to date is not stopping the exponential growth in cases," said Holland. “We don’t have the capacity to do so.”

7-Day Hospitalization Rate for Trauma Service D
 
Example of tent that could be used as an alternative treatment site for COVID patients

Example of tent that could be used as an alternative treatment site for COVID patients

Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily

The LIVE! Daily is the "newspaper to your email" for San Angelo. Each content-packed edition has weather, the popular Top of the Email opinion and rumor mill column, news around the state of Texas, news around west Texas, the latest news stories from San Angelo LIVE!, events, and the most recent obituaries. The bottom of the email contains the most recent rants and comments. The LIVE! daily is emailed 5 days per week. On Sundays, subscribers receive the West Texas Real Estate LIVE! email.

Required

Most Recent Videos

Post a comment to this article here:

X Close