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June 18, 2020

YNHH: Covid cases down, but vigilance should remain

Christopher O’Connor, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Yale New Haven Health.
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

The number of COVID-19 in-patients throughout the Yale New Haven Health system has continued to drop, but health officials urged people to remain vigilant about the virus to reduce the chances of an uptick. 

As of Thursday morning, the health system had 68 in-patient COVID cases, including 34 at Yale New Haven Hospital. Elsewhere in the system, Bridgeport Hospital had 25, Greenwich had six, and Lawrence + Memorial in New London had three. Westerly Hospital in Rhode Island had none, according to CEO Marna P. Borgstrom.

“We are at less than 10 percent of where we were at our peak,” Borgstrom said, noting how at one time they had over 800 COVID patients system-wide.

In spite of the dramatic reduction, Borgstrom urged people to continue with precautionary measures, including social distancing, hand washing and wearing masks. 

“We can’t let our guard down - this isn’t over,” Borgstrom said, noting how it could be a while before a vaccine is available.

When asked about the pace of the state’s businesses reopening and potential impact on the disease spread, Borgstrom said, “Time will tell.”

“I am cautiously optimistic. We have tried to be as thoughtful as possible,” Borgstrom said. “If we see a backslide of any magnitude, there will need to be contact tracing. If we see a spike, we will have to try to contain it. I think this (Gov. Ned Lamont’s) administration is willing to turn back (the reopening schedule) if numbers go back up.”

Christopher O’Connor, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Yale New Haven Health, said the public shouldn’t let down its guard or be lulled into a false sense of security.

“Our personal diligence is what really keeps the numbers going in the right direction,” O’Connor said.

O’Connor said the health system is focused on ensuring that non-COVID patients feel safe returning for visits, through extensive cleaning of facilities and screening of anyone entering. More patients have been returning for procedures, but he said he isn’t sure how long it will take to return to normal levels.

“If folks have delayed their care, now is the time to come back - you will be safe,” O’Connor said.

The health system is reopening more facilities. It recently opened the Shoreline Medical Center in Guilford, and anticipates opening the McGivney Advanced Surgery Center in New Haven shortly, according to O’Connor.

YNHH is ramping up testing across communities, including introducing testing vans in the coming weeks to service the New Haven, Bridgeport and New London regions for people who haven’t had access to test centers.

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.

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