Spike In COVID-19 Cases

A coronavirus spike in Morgan County has led to 130 new positive cases between Friday and Monday.

A coronavirus spike in morgan county.

Officials said 130 new positive cases were diagnosed between friday and today.

Thanks for joining us tonight -- i'm dan shaffer.

Najahe sherman has the night off.

Waay-31's bridget divers spoke to a representaive at decatur-morgan hospital to learn what plans are in place - and why they are starting to see patients who are sicker - and younger.

The decatur-morgan hospital has thirty-nine coronavirus patients currently.

And that number could increase.

That's why the decatur-morgan hospital is already preparing for them.

Bryan vest/ service line director of in-patient nursing at decatur-morgan hospital "there are several different scenarios that make up the surge plan.

So, if it's icu beds that we're looking for than we have a plan to convert other rooms in the hospital to be icu beds."

Bryan vest -- the service line director of in-patient nursing at decatur-morgan hospital --says that if there is an influx of patients beyond the hospital's capacity other hopsitals can help.

"we're a member of the huntsville hospital health system so we would look to the system hospitals for help with placing patients."

To avoid a coronavirus surge at the hospitals -- vest says that people shouldn't wait too long before going to their doctor.

"we are seeing a lot of covid patients we're also seeing sick, really sick patients right now and we believe that is a phenomenon that's happening because folks are waiting way too long into their illness before they seek medical attention.

Therefore they're ending up in the icu as well.

Vest says the hospital has seen more younger patients now than at the start of the pandemic.

"and we've seen a few young folks that have been admitted to the hospital.

Most of those that are admitted and are really sick also have comorbidities as well.

Obesity being the number one that we see with a lot of young folks that are having issues, respiratory issues."

Bryan vest says he is proud of the staff at decatur-morgan hospital but also says they are tired and fatigued from working during the pandmeic.

In decatur, bridget dives, wayy-31 news.