Sheridan COVID numbers, SMH to invest in staff

Sheridan County added 17 lab confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the weekend, bringing the total count to 4,298  lab confirmed cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

Also over the weekend, another six probable cases have been reported. That total now stands at 1,308. 

Currently there are 85 active cases in the Sheridan County Community and 52 deaths of Sheridan County residents attributed to COVID-19.

There are currently 17 patients in the hospital fighting the virus. COVID-19 Public Information Officer Jennifer Graves reports 43 residents have recovered from the virus over the weekend. 

During a leadership meeting, Sheridan Memorial Hospital reported  the mounting challenges that face the hospital in retaining staff. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Emergency Temporary Standard to Protect Healthcare Workers from COVID-19 requires 100% of medical and senior care facility staff to be vaccinated or risk losing Medicare and Medicaid funding. 

The Biden Administrations new mandates leave the hospital and its medical staff in a compromising position. Staff get vaccinated or the hospital stands to lose approximately 60% of its funding. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic came a significant increase in demand for traveling nurses. Compensation for the healthcare staff is extremely tempting according to SMH Chief Executive Officer Mike McCafferty. 

Part of the plan will be to offer incentives to employees to become vaccinated. 

According to McCafferty, those critical areas include areas of the hospital that involve the care of the sickest patients, certified nurse’s assistants and those with training in respiratory therapy. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list Sheridan County’s level of community transmission as HIGH.

More COVID-19 information is available at www.sheridancounty.com/covid-19/.