Current COVID-19 Census at Baxter Regional Medical Center

Current COVID-19 Census at Baxter Regional Medical Center

Official Statement regarding current COVID-19 cases within the Hospital and Vaccination Statistics

Baxter Regional has recently seen a rise in COVID-19 cases in our area and currently has 15 COVID-19 positive inpatients. At this time, Baxter Regional has not considered this current rise in cases enough to justify reopening a COVID Unit within the Hospital. Instead COVID patients are treated in single-patient, negative pressure rooms for the safety of staff, patients and visitors.

During the initial COVID-19 pandemic, Baxter Regional transformed an Overflow Unit within the hospital into a functional COVID Unit to isolate COVID patients. This Overflow Unit has since returned to seeing a variety of patients during high hospital census.

As of Wednesday, June 30, 2021, Baxter Regional’s inpatient numbers were at 169 with 15 being COVID patients. Among these 15 COVID patients, 1 had been vaccinated prior to contracting COVID-19. “Based on these numbers, it is clear to us here at Baxter Regional that the COVID-19 vaccine is effective in protecting against current strains of COVID-19,” said Stephanie Free, Infection Preventionist at Baxter Regional Medical Center.

With the 4th of July holiday fast approaching, Baxter Regional urges that the community exercise caution when celebrating. Please remember to wash your hands, wear a mask and get vaccinated. The Baxter Regional Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease Clinic is still offering the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to people ages 12 and older.

To request a vaccine appointment, call (870) 508-7450 during office hours, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. or Friday, 8 a.m. - noon. For more information on the vaccine and for regular updates on COVID-19, visit www.baxterregional.org/coronavirus.