Mosaic Life Care sees surge in COVID cases

These pandemic high patient numbers at mosaic, leaders there are also sounding the alarms.... and they're making warnings to the public even as they are expecting even more patients to come through their doors.

Here's kq2's jodie o'brien.

<<reporting: jodie o'brienpat dillon/chief government & community relations officer: "we're seeing an unprecedented number at our hospital."covid beds at mosaic life care are filling fast...just this week the mosaic system hit a record high number of people hospitalized with covid-19... 95 in their hospitals in st.

Joseph, maryville and albany... the majority taking up beds in st.

Joe...mosaics largest hospital.

Dr. davin turner/chief medical officer: "what we are seeing around us, not only in buchanan county but in the surrounding counties are increasing numbers of positivity//once people end up in the hospital with covid they are here for a long period of time especially if they end up in our icu."

While the hospital is bracing for a continued influx of patients...dr. davin turner/chief medical officer: "even though our numbers are high and i expect our numbers to continue to remain at this level for several weeks to come, if not the next couple of months."health care workers are being stretched to their limit...pat dillon/chief government & community relations officer: "the stresses that the nurses feel in these cases are very often very different than what they face in their regular course of work during the year.

These are some very sick patients.

With covid they don't have very many family members that can even visit.

So, sometimes it's our caregivers who are having to have to hold their hand and be their family member or at least be there for them until their family members can be there.

So, it's a lot of strain on our caregivers and we're very proud at how they're handling it but it is a stress."like healthcare professionals across the country...concerned about staffing as the coronavirus surge grows... mosaic has contracted with outside nursing agencies to help take some of the pressure off...dr. davin turner/chief medical officer: "right now they are doing a wonderful job and they're hanging in there but again, you know, over the next few months i don't know how things will all work out with them just from the standpoint of stress especially if the numbers go up."mosaic is urging you to continue to wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands...fearful the next few months could put many at risk and tax an already stressed out hospital system...pat dillon/chief community relations officer: "the next concerns.

The combination of covid, the flu season, students returning from college, cold weather driving folks indoors, and holiday gatherings have the potential for big spikes."so far mosaic has been able to handle the surge in covid cases...but what happens if cases continue to rapidly rise...dr. davin turner/chief medical officer: "i've been asked many times what's the number when you would be overwhelmed.

I don't know what that number is yet.

It really comes down to having the capacity of caregivers to provide that care."

Not yet at a breaking point... but record breaking numbers dont lie...leaving a community facing a hard truth...pat dillon/chief government & community relations officer: "this next few months with flu and all these other factors is very critical//but hopefully our community is listening and continues to listen.">> covid patients aren't the only ones filling the beds... mosaic says their doctors and nurses care for for about 200 other patients at the hospital.

Reporting in studio..jodie o'brien..kq2