Local hospitals are operating near capacity, need your help to slow virus spread
Four Myrtle Beach area hospitals are joining forces to send a clear message to the community: Wear a mask and social distance.
Conway Medical Center, Grand Strand Health, McLeod Health, and Tidelands Health announced a joint COVID-19 initiative Friday that television and billboard advertisements urging viewers to follow CDC guidelines for coronavirus.
“What we’re asking you to do is take all the proper measures, wear the mask, watch your distance and wash your hands,” said Dr Gerald Harmon from Tidelands Health.
The announcement comes as Horry county is seeing a rising death toll from the virus, although reported positive cases are trending down.
And most area hospitals are operating near or at full capacity. Tidelands health is operating at 99% capacity, with only two empty beds, according to Harmon.
“We’re overwhelmed right now,” he said.
Staffing issues are also arising, Harmon said as 69 employees have tested positive for coronavirus and have not been able to work for that reason.
In an open letter sent to the community, leaders from the four hospitals stressed simple precautions everyone should take.
“The thousands of physicians, nurses and health care professionals who have cared for your families in sickness and in health now find ourselves in a fight that we need your help to win. Please, for the health and safety of our region, wear a mask. Avoid large gatherings, observe social distancing, and wash your hands. These simple steps, when taken by all of us, will slow the spread of COVID-19,” the letter read.
With the threat of Hurricane Isaias looming some of the healthcare facilities have started emergency planning.
“An evacuation is not going to be an option, and we all probably shelter in place, making sure that our patients and our community stay safe and that we’re available when they need them when they need us,” said Monica Vehige an administrator from McLeod Loris Seacoast Hospital.
This story was originally published July 31, 2020 at 1:04 PM.
