Phoebe Updates COVID-19 Numbers

Friday, December 3, 2021 @ 11:03 a.m. -

Albany, Ga. - As of Friday morning, these were Phoebe's COVID-19 numbers:

• Total COVID-19 Patients in Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital - 8
• Total COVID-19 Patients in Phoebe Sumter Medical Center - 5
• Total COVID-19 Patients in Phoebe Worth Medical Center - 0
• Total Inpatients Recovered - 3,439
• Total Positive Deaths from Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital - 390
• Total Positive Deaths from Phoebe Sumter - 103
• Total Positive Deaths from Phoebe Worth - 1
• Total Vaccines Administered - 74,709

"Today, we are caring for fewer COVID-19 patients in our hospitals than at any time since the pandemic began. That is certainly exciting news worth celebrating. We know, however, our COVID fight is not over," said Scott Steiner, Phoebe Putney Health System President and CEO. "While transmission rates are low in southwest Georgia right now, COVID cases are increasing at a concerning rate in many parts of the country. It is likely just a matter of time before that trend reaches our area. We are preparing for and expecting a post-holiday increase in cases, and we urge everyone to get vaccinated and be cautious during holiday gatherings to help minimize any potential surge," Steiner added.

This week, the first cases of the newly-detected omicron variant were confirmed in the United States. Substantial research is underway to learn more about this new variant, but several red flags indicate it could be the most contagious variant seen to date.

"Omicron has more mutations than any other identified variant, meaning it could be more effective at evading the immune system. That could make people who have already had COVID more vulnerable to re-infection," said Dianna Grant, MD, Phoebe Putney Health System Chief Medical Officer. "Vaccines may also be somewhat less effective against this variant, though early data show vaccines still provide good protection against serious illness. Early research also shows those who have received booster shots have much stronger defenses against any COVID variant."

Dr. Grant also said relatively low vaccination rates in southwest Georgia put the region at greater risk of another surge of COVID cases. "In a month or two, we don't want to see a hospital full of COVID patients once again and look back saying, 'we could have avoided this, if more people had been vaccinated.' And we continue to encourage people to wear masks in public settings, wash their hands frequently and practice social distancing to help us reduce transmission of the virus," she said.

Phoebe is providing initial vaccine doses, booster shots and pediatric vaccines at multiple locations. Vaccination appointments may be scheduled by calling 229-312-MYMD.