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Saturday, May 09, 2020

Hospital Medical Chief Calls for Re-opening: We ‘Never Surged’ with Coronavirus

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s (UPMC) Chief Medical Officer Dr. Steven Shapiro on Wednesday called for Pennsylvania to re-open, laying out statistics showing that the coronavirus pandemic did not overwhelm hospitals in the UPMC system and explaining that “this is a disease of the elderly, sick and poor” and warning that “extended social isolation” cannot continue.

Dr. Shapiro issued the remarks during a round table discussion with Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) detailing the experiences and findings gleaned from the UPMC hospital system’s battle with the virus.

Shapiro explained that they took steps to prepare for a surge in coronavirus patients by “radically” transforming their hospital operations “to create a safe environment for patients and staff,” delaying non-urgent surgeries, and ramping up telemedicine “38-fold.”

While they saw a “steady stream” of patients, a surge never came to fruition. In fact, during the peak, coronavirus patients occupied just two percent of their 5,500 hospital beds and 48 of their 750 available ventilators.

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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

If by "poor" the author is referring to the racial aspects of Covid-19,that dynamic will always socialize extensively.I've always been rather envious of families and those who gathered for no particular reason,but they are incapable of breaking that pattern even when their potential death is involved.The masses who used to celebrate 5-5 must have been doing it inside this year,but they were doing it because one could smell Mexican food cooking everywhere in town.God bless them all & hopefully no harm will come to them.

Anonymous said...

When will you guys get it ? This virus is no worse than any other virus , other than it has gone into all countries thanks to the communist Chinese .
The left wing liberals have taken this to the extreme . As in all viruses the weak and old fall because of age and other weak body functions.The democrats are using your mind to get mail in votes for the election . Most of you have fallen prey to the media , I'm 77 years old , had the virus , sick for 2 weeks . Felt poorly and a little weak . Back to normal now . Never was sick to the point of doctor visits , Like Hillary said , "always take advantage of a good disaster " , that's how the democrats think .
The communist have been out enemy for over 100 years , now that the democrats are communist we must maintain our country , DON"T BELIEVE THE MEDIA ! cnn, msnbc also fox sometimes .

Anonymous said...

It you look at the so called epicenter NYC you will find an overwhelmingly majority of the deaths occurred in the public hospitals that for at least a decade have been coming under fire for the sub standard care patients receive. Go into anyone of these hospitals and you will not find an RN that speaks English much less understands it well. Many are Filipino. This because years ago during a shortage recruiters were sent to the Philippines to recruit RN's for these hospitals. They were also allowed to slide on the requirements it takes for someone to get state licensed.

Anonymous said...

11:06 I disagree. While I do think there was much overreaction this virus is worse. Worse because the illness has the potential to be more severe even in otherwise healthy people. An underlying illness does increase the risk of a worse outcome but not always. It's a form of SARS. These viruses unlike other viruses which cause the common cold are more dangerous. A simple explanation is this virus LOVES and needs to thrive ACE2 receptors. The further down your respiratory tract the more ACE2 receptors. So this virus is more likely to go deeper then most viruses including the flu and cause an infection of the air sacs inside your lungs which then deprives the rest of your body of oxygen.

Anonymous said...

11:46 you bring up some interesting so called facts , however , it looks as if you have bought in to the BS too. I'm 11:06 , I'm 77 , I have a heart condition , I've had cancer since 2004 , I have COPD and have trouble breathing at times . Like I said I had the virus , now I'm good to go .

Anonymous said...

It's also causing those deadly blood clots all over the body in young healthy people. Sure, it's not overwhelming numbers of patients, but do you really want to roll the dice when it could happen to you or someone you love? Or if it doesn't happen to you, you could spread it to someone that it kills. Think about that.

Anonymous said...

Oh wow, the Nurse I talked to yesterday choked up talking about her cousin who died from this would probably love to hear how this is made up. You are a smart cookie @11:06. Nobody, I mean nobody pulls the wool over your eyes.

Anonymous said...

Wait, you never had to see a Dr? So you never got tested? But you are SURE you had the Coronavirus! That is solid reassurance.

Anonymous said...

More people than I ever knew must have went to medical school. I mean the Eastern Shore is full of medical opinions now.

Anonymous said...

No guts no glory