- April 19, 2024
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by: Ron Jimenez
The past 18 months have been very trying. There is an abundance of misinformation about COVID-19, so I appreciate the opportunity to share the facts with you about the reality of the pandemic here at AdventHealth Palm Coast. We are your local health care provider, but we have an entire national network of physicians, scientists and other clinical leaders supporting us to bring the latest treatments and information to Flagler County. All that knowledge and experience bring us to an indisputable fact: Vaccines save lives.
We are encouraged by the downward trend we are seeing in COVID-19 patients being cared for at AdventHealth Palm Coast. We have seen a nearly 50% decrease in the number COVID positive patients we’re caring for since the peak in mid-August. Despite the downward trend and the feelings of hope that brings, we remain at an extremely high number of COVID patients in our hospital and Intensive Care Unit.
Although we are hopeful that the downward trend continues, we must continue to remain vigilant. This includes wearing masks, avoiding large indoor gatherings and getting vaccinated. We are by no means out of the woods; festivals, holiday gatherings and sporting events can be opportunities for the virus to spread, causing another surge.
The data is compelling. Less than 10% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 are fully vaccinated. Not only does the vaccine reduce the chance that you could become infected, but it also greatly reduces the chance that you’ll be hospitalized or need ICU care if you do become infected. Among AdventHealth’s goals is not just to provide world-class medical care in our hospitals, but to extend that healing outside of our hospital walls and into the communities we serve. Seeing our community members become ill and dying from a mostly preventable disease is disheartening to me and extremely difficult for the health care team to witness. Vaccines are that prevention.
If you test positive for COVID-19, it is important to understand when the symptoms are severe enough to seek care in our emergency room. If you are 65 and older, have underlying medical conditions, worsening symptoms or shortness of breath, then we are here to care for you in our emergency department.
Our health care system recently moved to Green Status. We know there are people who have been waiting patiently for certain procedures, and this move allows us to care for them as soon as possible. We want you to know that our hospital is here to care for everyone in our community, COVID patients and non-COVID patients. Please don’t put off getting medical care if you need it. We have the resources to care for both COVID and non-COVID patients alike.
I continue to be inspired by the tremendous resiliency, compassion and mutual support our team members display every day. As our team provides healing to many of your loved ones and neighbors, please continue to do your part to educate and protect yourself, your family and your community.
Dr. Ron Jimenez is president and CEO of AdventHealth Palm Coast.
