COVID-19: A serious threat

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  • COVID-19: A serious threat
    COVID-19: A serious threat
  • Castro County has 413 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 334 recoveries, 71 active and eight deaths. Pending cases since July are at 133; recovered pending cases, 65; and active cases, 68. Rivera said there are a total of 139 people who are positive with COVID-19.
    Castro County has 413 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 334 recoveries, 71 active and eight deaths. Pending cases since July are at 133; recovered pending cases, 65; and active cases, 68. Rivera said there are a total of 139 people who are positive with COVID-19.
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Castro County is under siege from the COVID-19 monster.

Sheriff Sal Rivera, emergency management coordinator, and Dana Cobb, chief nursing officer at Castro County Healthcare, both warned that it will not get better unless residents do their part.

Sheriff Rivera reported Castro County has 413 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 334 recoveries, 71 active and eight deaths. Pending cases since July are at 133; recovered pending cases, 65; and active cases, 68.

Rivera said there are a total of 139 people who are positive with COVID-19.

“If the case numbers continue to climb, an inevitable shutdown is imminent,” warned Rivera.

Rivera said it is critical that people wear their masks and stop the infection rate and spread of the virus.

‘This is not to control people; this is to protect one another,” said Rivera. “Gatherings are limited to 10 people or less. Anything over 10 will require local approval from the county judge or mayor of the respective city, and that there is still a governor’s executive order in place.”

As city, county and hospital officials deal with the current surge in Castro County, residents continue to contribute to the outbreak, ignoring protocols that would prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

According to Dana Cobb, chief nursing officer at Castro County Healthcare, people are not following safety guidelines to prevent the spread.

“The region is at Red Level and most people are not taking it seriously as is indicated by the increase in the number of cases,” said Cobb. “It is necessary to limit events, and when at an event, even a family gathering, follow guidelines. The more households involved, the more risk.”

Cobb said COVID-19 is an indiscriminate virus.

“It doesn’t care who you are. It doesn’t care about your gender. It doesn’t care about your age. Nothing is consistent. People MUST wear masks properly, social distance, wash their hands and do everything to prevent the spread or it will get worse.”

Nursing home residents are being guarded closely in Castro County, with most being tested weekly and staff tested twice weekly. Restrictions on visitors are in place, with designated visitors taking a class on PPE and the proper use of masks, washing hands, etc. Thus far, the county has had no outbreaks in the long-term facilities.

In addition to the pandemic, there is growing concern about treating non-COVID-19 emergencies.

“With hospitals filling up with, with facilities filling up with coronavirus patients, there often is no room for others who need hospitalized, especially in ICU settings,” said Cobb. “Just because COVID-19 is around, that doesn’t mean there are no heart attacks, strokes, broken bones and other medical emergencies. The more COVID-19 there is, the less room there is for everyone else.”

Cobb said patients needing a higher level of care than can be provided at Plains Memorial Hospital could be sent as far away as Oklahoma City, Albuquerque, Denver and other hospitals if Lubbock or Amarillo has no room.

“If someone comes in with chest pain, the CCH emergency room staff has a fast protocol to accomplish in a short amount of time to minimize damage to the heart,” said Cobb. “The patients need to be transferred as quickly as possible but remain in the ER until a bed and accepting physician can be found. Time is critical to the survival of many patients.”

According to Cobb, PPE supplies are being conserved and reused whenever possible at the hospital and clinic. She said gloves are almost impossible to get and protocols for extending the use of masks are being applied.

To protect not only the staff, but other patients at Plains Memorial Hospital and Medical Center of Dimmitt, rules have been set up to provide limited contact. No visitors are allowed into the hospital. The ER allows only one visitor with a patient. Those needing to be seen at the clinic should call ahead and follow instructions. For information regarding policies, call 806-647-2191.