Hospitals Plan, Prepare For Possible COVID-19 Surge

The ‘flattening the curve" motto is being repeated at local hospitals.

Many are just now seeing an increase in the number of COVID-19 patients as the number of cases climb dramatically.

At the same time, hospitals are filling up with patients getting elective surgeries and procedures.

“We have a lot of people that differed health care and we want to be able to get caught up on their needs,” said Dr. Kersey Winfree, SSM Health St. Anthony Chief Medical Officer.

Oklahoma's hospitalization peak was on March 31 with 562.

Right now- there are 181 hospitalizations- up nearly 70 from a week ago.

Hospitals said preparation plans learned months ago haven't been forgotten.

“We can go back to that plan pretty quickly,” added Dr. Winfree.

SSM Health St. Anthony said the best thing people can do is wash your hands, practice social distancing, and wear a mask in public to slow the spread of the virus.