Hospital sees three COVID-19 patients over last 3 months

Over the last three months, Sheridan Memorial Hospital has had a total of three COVID-19 patients, and no COVID-19 patient is currently hospitalized.

According to Dr. John Addlesperger, the hospital’s chief medical officer, the hospital isn’t having any problems handling the patient load.

Responding to a question about whether the hospital has admitted, or would admit, patients from outside Sheridan County, Dr. Addlesperger said where people are from really doesn’t matter to the hospital. If they’re sick and they’re here, they will be admitted.

He said two of the three patients that were admitted to the hospital weren’t sick or showing coronavirus symptoms. Rather, he said, they showed positive for the virus on a screening test.

Sheridan Memorial Hospital has been preparing for a surge in COVID-19 cases, although that hasn’t happened yet. Dr. Addlesperger said county health authorities are seeing an increase in positive screening tests however, and most of those are related to travel.

Addlesperger said hospital personnel anticipate they will be seeing more and more patients over time, but the situation is hard to predict.

He said the situation is under control at this time, but the hospital staff are all very cautious and watching the situation closely. He said much is dependent on the behaviors of people in the county.

He said social distancing and continuing to wear masks is what’s going to make the big difference and control the cases in Sheridan County.