Navajo County is reporting that as of July 17, there have been 4,669 COVID-19 cases reported in the county. According to information provided by Navajo County Public Health, Little Colorado Medical Center (LCMC) and Indian Health Services (IHS) in Winslow, and Summit Healthcare in Show Low have been able to provide care to residents in need with an update on the current capacity and capabilities of each facility. LCMC recently implemented its third model of hospital redesigns–reconfigurations to ensure the safe and separate treatment of contagious, COVID patients from other patients receiving care at LCMC. COVID care is provided in a setting safely distinct from other patients. LCMC has administered over 1,200 COVID tests over the past several months, with over 200 COVID positive patients diagnosed in Winslow. Aside from the sad number of deaths across reservation communities, the Winslow community has experienced seven COVID related deaths. Testing has been available at the LCMC Emergency Department, Clinic and hospital. At present there are 13 inpatients receiving care at LCMC, five of whom are COVID positive. With the modified care models, LCMC continues to provide safe and high-quality care in its lab, imaging and emergency department, as well as its clinic. Summit Healthcare has experienced a surge of inpatient hospitalizations for both COVID and non-COVID care needs. Summit’s inpatient bed availability on medical/surgical and intensive care units is 91 including currently open surge beds. As of July 17, the total number of inpatients at Summit Healthcare is 60 with 32 of them being COVID-19 positive or suspected COVID-19 patients. Summit Healthcare’s staff has been working tirelessly to provide care for their patients. With the rising number of hospitalizations, Summit Healthcare has expanded bed capacity and staffing by initiating the following surge plan to continue to meet the healthcare needs of our communities. Summit Healthcare normally has 12 ICU beds and have opened an additional 11 ICU beds, for a total of 23 ICU beds. Summit Healthcare normally has 52 medical/surgical beds for non-critical patients requiring hospitalization and have currently opened an additional 16 medical/surgical beds for a total of 68 beds and have the capability to add 10 more as needed. The Summit Healthcare Emergency Department has 30 beds/disposition chairs and have increased capacity by adding eight more beds and two more disposition chairs for a total of 40. Summit Healthcare received short-term assistance from the National Disaster Medical Team and VA Emergency Assist Team to provide additional nursing in the medical/surgical, ICU and emergency departments. Summit Healthcare will be receiving, within the next week, additional nurses through the Arizona Department of Health Services Surge Staffing Initiative. These nurses will care for patients and assist Summit Healthcare staff for six weeks in the medical/surgical and ICU units. The risk of exposure to COVID remains extremely high, and it is widespread throughout Arizona and Navajo County. Case counts in the county continue to trend in the wrong direction and unfortunately behaviors appear to be pushing the spread. As there is no way to prevent it or stop the virus completely, lowering the risk of exposure and slowing the spread is the goal. Using the tools available, it will lower the risk of exposure and slow the spread in communities. Remember; * It is safer at home physically distancing. * Wear a face covering when in public. * Stay home if are sick. * Wash hands frequently. * Disinfect frequently touched surfaces. * Cough or sneeze into a tissue or bent elbow. Let everyone do their part to slow the spread.
