Reid Health reinstates surge plan as COVID-19 hospitalizations rise

RICHMOND — A day after announcing a pause on elective surgeries, Reid Health is announcing the reinstatement of the hospital’s surge plan as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise.

In a update posted to the health network’s website, officials said Covid cases have risen quickly and led the hospital to “find itself on critical bed status.”

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Hospital officials said some non-Covid patients with lower acuity or are nearing discharge to temporary areas. This move was said to make more inpatient containment spaces for incoming Covid patients.

To help make the move work, health officials have relocated outpatient IV and infusion therapy to the hospital’s Lingle Hall.

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As of Thursday, the hospital currently has 69 patients in containment areas. There are currently 13 COVID-19 patients in the ICU and 11 are on ventilators. The hospital said there were 20 suspected COVID-19 admissions in the past 24 hours.

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