By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Chuck Welch with the Hutchinson Hospital said that the number of patients currently admitted is the highest they've had on a Tuesday since the beginning of the pandemic.
"We've had spikes in the past and we've talked about the nature of the different courses of how different people are effected and infected," Welch said. "That number fluctuates pretty quickly. From Tuesday to Tuesday, we can go from ten to two."
However, as of Tuesday morning there were 11 positive patients split between the ICU and the COVID Ward, with two additional COVID positive patients intubated for a total of 13 in the hospital.
"We have the capability to flex up to 40 intubated and ventilated patients," Welch said. "Our in house COVID positive population is well below our capacity."
Welch believes they're still okay in terms of handling what they have.
"The best way we can deal with concern is to be prepared," Welch said. "We are months into being prepared. We look at these numbers every day. We're braced for it. We're prepared for it. We have open lines of communication with our partners in the region."
Welch said he's not concerned that the hospital won't be able to handle whatever COVID-19 throws at them.