Excela Health seeing increase in covid cases, with nearly all hospitalizations for unvaccinated people

The vast majority of covid-19 patients at Excela Health’s three hospitals have not been vaccinated against the virus, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr. Carol Fox.

“Our numbers have dramatically increased in the last month,” she said, pointing to a “tenfold” uptick in covid patients compared to the three patients the hospital had in late July.

If a surge similar to what the health system saw from October to January is on the horizon, Fox said Excela has adequate levels of personal protective equipment and vaccines. But the familiarity of working amid a deluge of covid patients doesn’t make it any easier to anticipate.

“I think that staff is tired and staff is bracing for what they experienced before,” she said.

Like most of the nation, Westmoreland County is seeing an increase once again in positive cases of the coronavirus. The more contagious delta variant is leading to increased hospitalizations in the unvaccinated around the country. Hospitals in other states have reported a shortage of beds and, locally, school boards are wrestling over whether to have masks optional or mandated as students return to in-person learning.

The seven-day average of new virus cases in Westmoreland County was 87 on Tuesday, compared to 11 on the same day in July and 3 in late June, according to state health department figures. Thirty-seven people were patients at a hospital in the county Tuesday compared to three on Aug. 1. That figure stood at 167 on Jan. 1. Nine county residents have died of covid this month.

Fox said this week that 88% of those who test positive for the virus through Excela Health are unvaccinated. For those who are hospitalized with covid, 93% were not vaccinated. And every single covid patient on a ventilator had not gotten the immunization, she said.

About 54% of the county’s adult population has been fully vaccinated against the virus, according to state figures. Statewide, 65% of adults are fully vaccinated.

So far, space hasn’t been an issue for covid patients at Excela Health and no services have been cut back, Fox said. One difference between then and now is that the hospitals are seeing pre-covid levels of patients coming in for ailments or routine issues after a sharp decline for that type of care in 2020.

Health system officials are aware of about 62% of its 4,300 staff members being vaccinated. There hasn’t been an employer mandate for the shots, though Fox said it is something that is being monitored.

U.S. regulators this week gave full approval to Pfizer’s covid-19 vaccine, a move officials hope will increase the number of immunized. A plan to open booster shots for all Americans is awaiting final approval, though those who are immunocompromised can get them now.

Those additional vaccines are already being offered at Excela’s vaccine clinic in North Huntingdon. If the plan is approved for the already-vaccinated, they will be available at the clinic, Fox said.

“I do think that, if a booster dose is approved, many individuals will get that and I think that will be helpful,” she said.

They also could be available to employees during already-scheduled flu vaccine clinics in October. But if the vaccination levels stay stagnant, she expects to see a continued increase in positive cases. Fox encouraged mask-wearing when indoors with groups of people. She also encouraged people who are hesitant about getting the vaccine to discuss it with their doctor.