Be careful, COVID could impact ability to get timely healthcare

Vicki Hyatt, The Mountaineer, Waynesville, N.C.
·3 min read

Sep. 3—The COVID-19 pandemic in Haywood is continuing to surge with 568 positive cases reported in the past 14 days, four additional deaths in the county and a positivity rate of 16.7%, far higher than the state.

And that's the good news.

Judging by the statistics from areas where the Delta variant has peaked and receded, Haywood has another couple weeks before hitting the peak, County Medical Director Mark Jaben said Friday.

"And the Labor Day holiday is here," he added. "Every holiday, we've seen a surge afterward. Hopefully people are aware and are willing to be careful."

County leaders are urging everyone to be extra careful so they won't need to use medical resources that are stretched exceedingly thin in the county.

"If you go back to this whole bend the curve thing where we didn't want to overwhelm our healthcare system, we are looking like New York looked a year ago April," Jaben said. "If people think the flood has come and gone, it feels like fall and all is OK, they have missed the story and are not wanting to grasp what's really happening. We are more stretched now than I've ever seen it, including in January. Don't get sick or hurt."

For the past several days, Haywood residents who are transported by ambulance have been diverted to Mission Hospital.

"Between COVID-19, severe weather, staffing concerns and several other factors, Haywood County is faced with a critical situation," said Public Health Director Sarah Henderson.

"The emergency medical system is stretched to its limits," Henderson said. "Hospitals throughout the region are full. Patients needing transport by ambulance are having to wait outside, sometimes for hours, in the ambulance before a bed in the emergency department is available."

Here's a recap of the situation in Haywood as of Friday, Sept. 3.

Case numbers

—Since the pandemic started, 5,643 positive COVID cases have been reported in Haywood, though officials say the number has been much higher because those who get sick after a family member tests positive don't get a test, or others who have symptoms simply don't get tested.

—COVID deaths in Haywood stand at 112, and a total of 31,485 individuals have received their first vaccination; 29,300 the second. This week, 75% of COVID cases were among the unvaccinated and nearly all of those who require hospitalization are unvaccinated.

—Of the past 100 COVID-positive tests in the county, only 2 had been vaccinated.

—The COVID positivity rate in Haywood is at 16.7% compared to the statewide rate of 12.8%. Jaben said a positivity rate of less than 5% is the goal.

—During August, Haywood County EMS had 648 patient encounters. Of those, 28.4% or 184, had a turnaround time (the time from arriving at the hospital to returning to service) longer than 45 minutes.

—As of Friday, Haywood Regional remains on full diversion with 72 beds occupied, 29 of which are COVID-positive.

—Since Aug. 1, a total of 143 children have tested positive for COVID, a number that doesn't include the 26 children who tested positive on Sept. 2. It also doesn't siblings in the home that Henderson said pediatricians in the county are automatically assuming will test positive, too.