Hartford HealthCare officials say they’ve mobilized their systems and resources to deal with the expected increase in the number of people infected with the coronavirus in the coming weeks.
“I think the numbers are going to go up for several weeks. Maybe two to four weeks and then after that I’m hoping it will plateau out. If we continue to maintain the social distancing, if we continue to maintain the hand hygiene in our country,” says Dr. Ajay Kumar, chief clinical officer for Hartford HealthCare.
Kumar says their drive-through testing sites have been successful in testing more people who are at high risk of infection or exhibiting symptoms.
A central staffing office will ensure that all facilities in their network have personnel and repurposed space for more beds.
“What we’re trying to do at this time is to see how we use the traditional and non-traditional areas of the hospital to optimize the needs of the community.”
However, Kumar says supplies of personal protective equipment are limited and that donations of masks and gloves are welcome.
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