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Today, we are caring for 34 COVID positive inpatients at Mount Nittany Medical Center, ranging in age from 47 to 86. Our average daily census of COVID positive inpatients for November is 31 and the total number of cases for November is 87. This compares to an average of 17 patients per day from the same time frame in November 2020.
“Our community and region are feeling the effects of taxed hospital resources due to the number of COVID inpatients and continued difficulty discharging them to long-term care facilities,” said Upendra Thaker, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Mount Nittany Medical Center. “This is not only affecting Mount Nittany Medical Center, but also other area health systems."
Dr. Thaker says the high utilization of patient beds is attributed to the Medical Center caring for patients who would not normally be in the hospital under normal, pre-pandemic circumstances.
“The combination of COVID patients and longer hospital stays means we have fewer available beds to care for other patients,” Dr. Thaker said. “This means we must continually evaluate our operations and reschedule elective surgeries, if necessary. We strongly encourage the community to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and take precautionary measures to prevent and reduce transmission of the disease as we enter the peak time period for other respiratory illnesses, like the flu.”
Mount Nittany Medical Center is committed to doing everything we can to serve every patient every day. As physicians, nurses and healthcare workers on the front lines who have been fighting the pandemic for more than a year and half now, we urge you to do everything you can to prevent and stop the spread of COVID-19. Please get vaccinated, social distance, avoid large gatherings, wear a mask, and wash your hands frequently. You can visit our website to register for a vaccine, booster or additional dose. In addition, if you are experiencing any symptoms or believe you were exposed to someone who is COVID positive, then please isolate yourself from others and seek testing. Visit the patient information page to learn more.
Inpatients at Mount Nittany Medical Center (with the exception of patients who are COVID positive) may designate two individuals who are permitted to visit them throughout their stay. One visitor at a time will be permitted at a time during visiting hours, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. daily. The full policy, including exceptions, can be found in the patient information section of our website.
On November 2, the CDC approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11. Parents/guardians of patients of Mount Nittany Physician Group can schedule an appointment by calling 814.466.7921.
Note: Mount Nittany Physician Group Pediatrics is only offering vaccine appointments to current patients. If you or your child are not a patient of Mount Nittany Physician Group, then you may schedule a vaccine appointment with Centre Volunteers in Medicine.
