“To begin with, there will be big fluctuations when their numbers are smaller,” explained Relucio. “What happens is that there may be a discharge – someone coming down to a normal floor (from the hospital) or a death.”
California is experiencing an increase across the state, Relucio said, adding that several regions within the state remained at 0% of the ICU’s capacity sometimes for days on end, even extending for week-long sequences. The Bay Area region on Friday reported 3% ICU capacity, the lowest so far.
“I’m not surprised, given the number of cases we’ve had,” said Relucio. “In December, we had 2,500 cases – in the previous month, 1,200. Therefore, it is more than double. “
On Friday, the Queen of the Valley Medical Center officially reinstated its respiratory screening area, said Herold, where individuals with severe symptoms of COVID-19 can be evaluated and potentially taken to hospital. The hospital had previously erected a screening area amid blockages in early spring, although it was later removed after limited use. The screening area is essentially an extension of a waiting area, explained Herold. No patient is receiving long-term care in the tent.
The county was preparing for new cases and hospitalizations due to festive events, according to Relucio.
This most recent spike came even when Napa’s coronavirus test framework seemed to operate slowly over the past few weeks; residents reported waiting times of two to three hours in the last week of the year, the Register previously reported, after OptumServe, a new testing provider, took over operations.