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August 11, 2020

COVID-19 hospitalizations plummet across Yale health system

IMAGE | Pixabay.com
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

The number of patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 has dropped to 15 across all Yale New Haven Health system facilities, system officials indicated Tuesday.

Of the 15, seven were at Yale New Haven Hospital, five at Bridgeport Hospital, two at Greenwich Hospital and one at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London.

The health system has had one patient die within the past 10 days, with about 581 COVID-related fatalities since the pandemic began. 

Yale New Haven Health CEO Marna P. Borgstrom said she is “proud” of the work the state of Connecticut has done to reduce the spread of the disease. 

“This is not going away - it is something we are going to be living with until there is a vaccine,” Borgstrom said. “We have to all continue to be vigilant.”

Yale will be teaming up with pharmaceutical company Pfizer in the coming weeks for a late stage trial of a potential COVID-19 vaccine, the final stage of human testing before regulatory approval.

Thomas Balcezak, MD, executive vice president and chief clinical officer for Yale New Haven Health, urged people to continue to wear masks and avoid large gatherings.

During Tuesday’s press conference, health system leaders were questioned about the planned reopening of schools around the state. 

Balcezak cautioned that children can get the disease and spread it, and there is the potential for them to spread it to their parents and grandparents, who are more susceptible to severe complications. However, he also noted that school is where many children get meals and important social interaction.

“It has to be a local decision based on the incidence of disease,” Balcezak said.

Thomas Balcezak, MD

As of Monday, Gov. Ned Lamont reported 50,567 people in the state have tested positive for the virus, with 4,444 deaths and 64 people currently hospitalized. 

“We are still doing very well, though we are not taking our eyes off the ball,” Lamont said during a press conference this week. 

Lamont reiterated the importance of wearing masks and practicing social distancing, and indicated that businesses which violate the rules could face fines and potential closures. 

“Overwhelmingly, people are doing the right thing, but for those of you who aren’t, please be on notice,” Lamont said.

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.

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