Hospital bed capacity in Ellis County released
WAXAHACHIE – Warnings of hospital beds in Texas becoming scarce has been a discussion the last few weeks in Texas as the COVID-19 cases rise.
Late last month, Governor Greg Abbott put a halt to elective surgeries in four counties in the state due to the pandemic.
Stories out of Harris county south of Ellis and Dallas Counties are grim.
So, where does Ellis County stand in the discussion of hospital bed capacity?
A report released from Ellis County Judge Todd Little’s office Monday gave the numbers he has received from the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council (NCTTRAC):
Total Bed Count: 215
Total Patients in Hospitals: 111
Total Beds Available: 94
Total Occupancy Rate: 54.15%
Total ICU Bed Count: 18
Total ICU Beds Available: 3
Total ICU Bed Occupancy Rate: 83.33%
Total Covid-19 ICU Bed Occupancy Rate: 60.00%
One of the questions Judge Little had been asked several weeks ago regarding bed capacity in Ellis County was what would happen if hospitals locally began to fill up?
Little said at that time he could not “prejudge what might happen in the future.”
He did say, however, if there was a situation in Dallas where beds were full, that lack of beds could spill over into Ellis County.
His office said Monday regarding Dallas beds, “DSHS and local medical facilities have surge plans to assist in expanding capacity if necessary.”
According to Judge Little, the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council has a strong partnership, and tracks hospital beds and capacity to account for these surge plans.
Texas is divided into 22 regions called trauma service areas (TSAs).
“Residents should continue to wear masks, practice physical distancing, sanitize regularly, and stay home unless it is necessary,” Judge Little concluded. “Each of us must take personal responsibility and preventative action to help ease the potential strain on our health care facilities across the county. Together, we will win and defeat COVID-19.”