As Silver Cross Hospital deals with the most taxing surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, area residents are offering support in the form of kind words or a meal.
Silver Cross officials this week reopened a Meal Train app that allows residents to donate food or make cash contributions to help pay for meals for hospital workers. In the first few days of 2022, residents have contributed more than $4,900 and have already begun signing up to deliver meals to the hospital.
“Our community has been wonderfully supportive throughout the pandemic,” hospital spokeswoman Debra Robbins said. “There have been so many positive comments and donations since the Meal Train went live just a few days ago.”
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Region 7, which includes Will and Kankakee counties, had a test positivity rate Monday of 22%. The region’s hospitals also only had 4% of their intensive care unit beds available as of Tuesday.
About 70 of the hospital’s 3,000 staff members were out sick with COVID-19 as of Friday, said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christopher Udovich.
At Silver Cross Friday, the 303-bed hospital had 338 patients, 136 of whom had COVID-19. On Monday, the hospital was placed on bypass for a short time and ambulances were routed to other hospitals for nonemergency cases.
“The hospital is busy,” Udovich said Friday. “We’re feeling a little overwhelmed but we’re managing. It’s still a safe place to come if you’re having medical problems.”
In a video released Friday, Udovich noted the hospital has been operating at about 120% of its peak capacity in recent weeks.
“We’ve been extremely busy,” Udovich said in the video.
The hospital reinstated a no-visitor policy except for pediatrics, end of life situations and in some cases where patients may need the additional support.
Elective surgeries, except in critical cases, were put on hold this week for two weeks. Udovich said about 32% of the elective surgeries were still performed this week and that the hold on elective procedures is reviewed daily.
“This surge that we’re in right now has been the most severe surge of the entire pandemic,” Robbins said Friday.
The video included New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann, Silver Cross President Chief Executive Officer Ruth Colby, Medical Director of Infection Prevention Dr. Atul Gupta and Udovich highlighting recent COVID-19 developments.
“Right now we’re seeing COVID spread like it never has before,” Gupta said, referring to the omicron variant. “It’s spreading like wildfire.”
Both Gupta and Udovich encouraged residents to get vaccinated and those who have been vaccinated to get a booster shot if they are eligible. While the vaccine is not a guarantee against contracting the virus, Gupta said it does greatly reduce the risk, and that those who are fully vaccinated but contract the virus are contagious for fewer days.
“As of right now, the best you could do is get your original series and get boosted if you’re eligible,” Udovich said in the video.
Both doctors encouraged residents to continue with COVID-19 safety protocols such as wearing a face mask, frequent hand washing, staying home when sick, social distancing and avoiding large crowds.
Udovich encouraged those with emergent medical issues to use the hospital’s emergency room. Those with health concerns that do not require emergency care are encouraged to consult with their primary care physician. Silver Cross also operates urgent care facilities in New Lenox and Mokena, he said.
“With the hospital being full and the emergency room being full it makes sense that if you have concerns or questions to call your doctor first and see what’s appropriate for you,” Udovich said.
Residents can also help encourage hospital staff. In the video, Colby said any help from residents in the form of meals or encouraging cards for staff would be welcomed. In 2020, residents rallied to help hospital workers sending meals, cards or having drive by parades to show support.
“The thank you notes, the posters that meant the world,” Colby said,” and that could help a lot right now.”
For information on the Meal Train, go to www.mealtrain.com/trains/3gq4g8.
Alicia Fabbre is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
