Hospitals in the Houston area are preparing to increase the number of COVID-19 cases

HOUSTON – Health experts at Hermann Memorial Hospital and Baylor St. Medical Center. Luke says they’re ready for what’s to come in the next few weeks.

It is an endless battle with COVID-19. Cases continue to rise in Houston and Harris County.

“We certainly continue to ask for the help of the people of greater Houston, helping us to stop this disease. Please be patient, use the mask, use social distancing, let’s wash our hands so we can limit the hospitalization request, ”said Dr. David Callender, president and CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System.

On Tuesday, Texas Medical Center reported 4,515 new cases and 388 new hospitalizations.

“We are concerned that all of these values ​​will be exacerbated before they improve,” Callender said.

TMC said there are 1,405 people in the IU. Of those people, 511 have COVID-19. Several hospitals in our area already have plans in place if the number gets worse.

“We are not worried about the beds, which we have. Our hospital has two campuses, so we have a second campus that we can expand if needed, ”said Dr. Liz Youngblood, president of Baylor St. Medical Center. Luke.

“We’ve turned a space that isn’t usually used for beds into bed care, in the face of this increased demand, so we’re not out of bed, but we’re clearly worried,” Callender said.

Both hospitals also have additional staff, agencies and workers who are ready to help.

“We are all busy, everyone is busy and it’s not just COVID-19, there is a regular demand for hospital services there, there are people who have heart attacks, which cause strokes,” Callender said.