Kootenai Health has record number of COVID-19 patients

Kootenai Health exceeded its previous maximum number of COVID-19 patients with 96 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 today, with 37 of those in critical care.

The previous high set on Dec. 23, 2020, was 91.

"Based on predictive models and the rapid spread of the COVID-19 delta variant in our community, the hospital expects the surge to continue to escalate," according to a press release.

This week, within a 36-hour period, four COVID-19 patients at Kootenai Health passed away. Three of them were 45 or younger.

On Tuesday, Kootenai installed a new, higher-capacity oxygen tank because the hospitalized COVID-19 patients they are seeing now have a much greater need for oxygen, the release said.

They also continue to seek additional clinical staff to care for the growing surge of COVID-19 patients, the release said.

Late last week, Kootenai Health leaders made the decision to convert the hospital’s largest classroom in its Health Resource Center into a patient care unit. The intent is to use this space to care for low-acuity COVID-19 patients, the release said.

It can accommodate up to 22 patients.

Additionally, separate rooms in the Health Resource Center have been converted to provide monoclonal antibody therapy to COVID-19 patients who are not hospitalized.

"Providing patient care in this space will mean a transition to crisis standards of care. Crisis standards of care are guidelines that help health care providers decide how to deliver the best care possible under extraordinary circumstances," the release said. "These can include disasters or public health emergencies when health care systems are so overwhelmed by patients, or resources are so scarce, it is no longer possible to provide all patients the level of care they would receive under normal circumstances. The goal of crisis standards of care is to extend care to as many patients as possible and save as many lives as possible."

Only the state has the authority to issue a crisis standards of care declaration. Such a declaration can be issued for a given region or the entire state.

Kootenai Health leaders are participating on the Idaho crisis standards of care task force and providing information on the current situation as it relates to the need to issue a crisis standards of care declaration.

Kootenai Health and its medical staff members continue to encourage everyone to do their part to prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19.

"Please get vaccinated for COVID-19, wear a mask when out in public, avoid optional large gatherings, practice social distancing and wash or sanitize your hands frequently," the release said.