BGH moves into contingency mode
SANDPOINT — Due to a rapid spike in novel coronavirus cases, Bonner General Health has moved into contingency mode, hospital officials said in a press release.
The move will help the hospital manage the increase in the utilization of resources to care for COVID-19 patients.
"We have seen the number of total positive tests double in the last few weeks, and the pandemic is slated only to get worse," Dr. Stacy Good, BGH Emergency Department physician, said.
A 25-bed critical access hospital, Bonner General staff have sequestered five of its medical/surgical rooms into a pod for COVID positive patients and three rooms in its critical care unit.
"COVID patients require a degree of isolation to protect the staff and other patients and require significant utilization of healthcare resources," hospital officials said in the press release.
Bonner General Health and regional hospitals are reaching or at capacity, limiting the ability to transfer patients requiring a higher level of care. The rise in COVID-19 transmission has created other issues, including delays in COVID-19 test result notification and contact tracing, officials said.
In the last two weeks, Bonner County has added 178 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 109 coming in the last seven days, according to data from the Panhandle Health District.
Boundary County has added 35 cases in the last week, and 86 since Nov. 1. Kootenai County has added 578 cases in the last week, 1,238 since Nov. 1; Shoshone County has added 54 cases in the last week, 89 cases since Nov. 1; and Benewah County has seen 19 cases in the last week, 35 since Nov. 1.
As of Friday, Nov. 13, there are 147 active cases in Boundary County, 225 in Bonner County, 1,918 in Kootenai County, 109 in Shoshone County and 46 in Benewah County.
"If the spread of the virus continues to increase in Bonner and Boundary counties, we will not be able to care for those who are acutely ill without postponing essential but less urgent care," hospital officials said in the release. "We anticipate this kind of shift could happen in a matter of weeks if trends do not change."
BGH officials said the hospital remains committed to providing services that are the best for the community, and thanks it employees, community providers, and partners during these unprecedented times.
Two things that have been consistent during the pandemic are COVID-19 is ever-changing, as will our processes dependent on the need, and secondly, our shared commitment to the health and safety of Bonner County, BGH officials said.
The increase in COVID-19 cases in Idaho prompted Gov. Brad Little to order Idaho to return to a modified Stage 2 of his Idaho Rebounds plan, limiting most indoor and outdoor gatherings to 10 people or under.
The move exempts places of worship and political assembly. Church services and protests may continue as scheduled, though social distancing is required statewide.
Little’s decision comes as COVID-19 continues to spread across Idaho. Wednesday’s 1,693 new cases shattered the state’s record of 1,403, set Nov. 7. Coronavirus numbers have steadfastly risen since mid-September in Idaho, as well as around the nation.
To slow the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control recommends practicing physical distancing, wearing cloth face coverings in public places, practicing good hand hygiene, staying home when sick, sanitizing high-touch surfaces regularly and isolating immediately if you show symptoms of COVID-19.
"More than ever, our community needs to be diligent and follow the recommended health guidelines to decrease the spread of COVID-19 in support of our local business economy, school districts, the healthcare community, friends, family, and neighbors," BGH officials said.