The return to school usually arrives with a mixture of emotions including excitement, anticipation, and anxiety. As the delta variant of the coronavirus surges across the country we face another school year of uncertainty. As a parent, I remain dedicated to doing all I can to ensure my kids are able to enjoy an uninterrupted school year.
Like much of the country, recently Mercy Hospital has seen an increase in the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. While the number of COVID patients in our care at any given time fluctuates, currently the number remains below the number of patients we were caring for during previous surges. Nearly all patients hospitalized at Mercy with COVID-19 are either unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, emphasizing the importance of getting a COVID-19 vaccination. The vaccinations are proven to be safe and dramatically reduce the risk of death or hospitalization from COVID-19.
As we face another year of this pandemic, I find comfort in knowing that our community is backed by an incredible hospital that is part of a powerful health system and staffed by expert medical professionals. Even when faced with a multi-year pandemic, Mercy caregivers continue to provide the same compassionate, quality care to the communities we serve.
At Mercy our focus remains on keeping our associates, visitors, and patients safe. Mercy continues to follow the public health guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local and state health departments. Face coverings are still required when in the hospital regardless of vaccination status. We also continue to offer virtual appointments for routine medical care. If you are interested in scheduling a virtual appointment, please reach out to your provider for more information.
I continue to be grateful to the dedicated doctors, nurses and associates that provide outstanding care to our patients. Let’s support our caregivers and work together to keep our kids in school by continuing to follow the public health recommendations.
