Doctors and nurses treat a patient in the Intensive Care Unit at Bayonne Medical Center.
Doctors and nurses treat a patient in the Intensive Care Unit at Bayonne Medical Center.
Bayonne Medical Center is prepared for an uptick in COVID-19 patients, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr. Alfredo Rabines.
Bayonne is currently witnessing an uptick in virus cases due to the Delta variant, but hospitalizations have remained low. As of Aug. 26, there were 60 active cases and one hospitalization.
Hospital on standby
Hospital operations are currently normal. Rabines said this means that everyday functions such as surgeries, radiology, and cancer services are up and running, as well as the hospital’s new heartburn center.
COVID-19 protocols are still in place, including testing all admitted patients and cleaning each room daily with UV-light equipment. Staff is required to follow all virus guidelines, and for months have been required to be vaccinated or tested regularly.
The hospital is equipped with sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators, according to Rabines.
Visits are limited. But Rabines said that teams of doctors and nurses help connect patients with family and loved ones via telecommunications.
“We are committed to the health and safety of Bayonne as we face this crisis, and are ready and prepared for our community,” Rabines said during the city’s weekly COVID-19 video update.
Vaccinations are the best defense
According to Rabines, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has fully approved the Pfizer vaccine for those over 18, which was previously only approved under an emergency use authorization. Rabines said Moderna is expected to soon follow.
Those ages 12 to 17 can still receive the vaccine through the emergency use authorization. BMC offers both vaccines to eligible residents via outpatient clinics, according to Rabines.
As of Aug. 26, approximately 80 percent of adults 18 and older had received at least one dose of the vaccine. According to the Bayonne Office of Emergency Management, approximately 70 percent of adults have received two doses. Nearly 50 percent of those ages 12 to 17 have received at least one dose.
Rabines expects COVID-19 booster vaccines to begin for the general public in the fall, for those who have received their second Pfizer or Moderna dose at least eight months ago. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends only those who are immuno-compromised receive a third dose of those vaccines.
Testing again available
Residents can get vaccinated at the Korpi Ice Rink at Bayonne High School at 669 Avenue A. Residents do not need appointments.
The site offers Pfizer vaccines on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Moderna vaccine is available on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Getting COVID-19 tested when feeling ill is key to mitigating the spread of the virus, as well as wearing masks and social distancing.
Rabines reminded residents that testing would again be available at the Bayonne Community Museum at 229 Broadway come Sept. 2.
Testing will take place on Thursdays from 1 to 7 p.m., and on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Both rapid and regular testing will be open to all residents on both a walk-in basis and by appointment.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.
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August 27, 2021 at 04:56AM
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Bayonne Medical Center is ready for an uptick in COVID-19 cases - The Hudson Reporter
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