COVID: Clarify ICU stats

ICU is at capacity. If that’s the case, there should be concern. But questions arise based on The Press article and answers to those should be considered in any mandate decision.

How many ICU beds do they have?

How many COVID patients are in ICU?

Are there any COVID patients in ICU who do not need actual ICU care?

The article says patients cannot be discharged without a plan for continuing care, without a place that will accept them. Then, “we cannot discharge these patients so their bed can be used for someone who requires hospitalization.” So, if they are holding COVID patients in the hospital that are dischargeable and do not need hospitalization and reporting that they are at capacity, then in context the crisis is real but misleading. Are we to understand that if a patient comes in requiring ICU care they would be turned away because there is a recovering COVID patient who doesn’t require ICU care occupying that bed?

I have no idea what is required in the treatment of a recovering COVID patient who does not require hospitalization, but obviously they do not need to be in the hospital. So, where does that leave us? Wearing masks, shutting down business, etc. Without clarity some are going to be reluctant to comply with mandates.

Why haven’t Kootenai County, cities/towns discussed creating a COVID recovery/quarantine facility? If the situation is as dire as reported, why are we filling the hospital with people who do not need to be there?

ERIC SEAMAN

Coeur d’Alene