CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The dramatic increases of coronavirus cases are coming as local leaders met for a specially called council meeting to discuss exactly how the city is responding to the expanding threat.
It's not the update local leaders wanted to hear as the numbers of positive cases of the coronavirus continue to surge, and hospitals near capacity. Nueces County's highest ICU totals were at 103 compared to 55 on July 2.
Nueces County Health Director Annette Rodriguez reminded people to keep their distance from others by demonstrating just how far apart six feet actually looks.
Rodriguez continued by asking people to stay home, saying the virus is widespread. The Center for Disease Control said to get a better idea of just how many people have the virus in a community is to take the number of cases reported and multiply that number by 10.
"That would account for people who haven't been tested or don't know they have the virus," City Manager Peter Zanoni said.
As the health district reports eight additional deaths in Nueces County, we often hear that patients also have comorbidities.
When it comes to the number of hospital beds, Hilary Watt, the director of Coastal Bend Regional Advisory Council said local hospitals are working feverishly to create more beds for incoming COVID patients, but staffing is more of an issue.
"Just know they are working to create as much space as much bed capacity to take care as many people as possible," Watt said.
She suggested state leaders should request the Navy's medical ships the Comfort and Mercy to provide aid along the Gulf Coast as the situation gets worse.
"Those ships have a thousand beds and are fully staffed and could move up and down the coast," Watt added.
A few additional notes from Health Director Annette Rodriguez's presentation during last night's special city council meeting.
- If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, you must stay in isolation for 14 days.
- If you start to feel sick during the work day, go home. If possible, notify your employer by phone as you walk to your car. Don't go to their office and possibly spread the virus.
- Employers, do not ask a COVID-19 positive employee to come back to work prior to their 14 day quarantine even if they feel better.
- Don't require the staff to get re-tested to come back to work. The CDC said an employee no longer needs '2 negatives' at the end of their quarantine.
- Don't ask staff to get proof that they tested positive. If you don't believe them, you can call the health district and verify.
- Also, don't require a release letter from a doctor to go back to work. Keep in mind doctors are extremely busy right now and there is no reason to get a release letter. The recovery is 14 days. So on day 15 they can go back to work unless they are still feeling sick.
For the latest updates on coronavirus in the Coastal Bend, click here.
More from 3News on KIIITV.com:
- 8 additional COVID-19 related deaths in Nueces County and 445 new cases. Here's a breakdown of cases in the Coastal Bend.
- Where can I get tested for COVID-19 in the Coastal Bend?
- Judge Joe Benavides in ICU battling the coronavirus
- 97-percent of inmates at Nueces County McKinzie Jail Annex test positive for COVID-19