BATESVILLE, IN — Officials at Margaret Mary Health (MMH) say the soaring positivity rates across the state and within the local community provide evidence that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is as highly contagious as federal health officials warned. Last week, nearly half of all patients tested at MMH were positive for COVID-19. The hospital is encouraging those eligible for a booster shot to get one, saying data from the CDC has shown that a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) increases the vaccine’s effectiveness against Omicron to about 75 percent.
MMH currently has 19 patients on the Med/Surg floor, with three of those patients in the Special Care Unit. Eight patients are COVID-positive. (See chart for current patient volumes.)
The hospital Emergency Room continues to be busy. You’re asked to avoid going to the ER for COVID-19 testing. Many people with COVID will have mild symptoms and should rest at home, isolate, take ibuprofen/Tylenol and drink plenty of fluids. Other patients who may be at a higher risk will experience more moderate symptoms and should call their primary care provider for guidance. Patients with severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or bluish lips should come to the ER immediately. To learn more about potential treatment options for COVID-19 click here: combatcovid.hhs.gov/possible-treatment-options-covid-19/i-have-covid-19.
The percent of patients testing positive for COVID-19 reached a record high, with 49.5 percent of patients (174 in total) testing positive. (See chart for testing details). Those who need to be tested for COVID-19 should contact their primary care provider for an outpatient test to be completed through the hospital lab or schedule an appointment at a local testing site through coronavirus.in.gov. If you have mild symptoms or had a known exposure to someone with COVID-19, self-testing at home with an over-the-counter test is also a good option for fast results.
Hospital officials say if you are not vaccinated or are eligible to receive your vaccine booster shot, please consider doing so.
Vaccine appointments for everyone ages 5 and older can be scheduled Monday through Friday at the MMH Occupational Health and Wellness Center in Batesville at (812) 932-5105.
Vaccine appointments can also be made Monday through Friday at the Margaret Mary Health Center in Brookville at (765) 647-5126.
Walk-ins are also welcome in Brookville.
