St. Tammany Parish health and government leaders filled a Monday news conference with metaphors portraying the surge in COVID-19 cases — among the terms: “tsunami” and “D-Day.””I am very frustrated with the position we are in,” parish corner Dr. Charles Preston told reporters inside the parish council chambers. “We are at war with the delta variant.”The parish has seen nearly a tenfold spike in COVID-related hospitalizations since July 1. On July 1, 42 people were hospitalized with COVID in St. Tammany hospitals. The number has since surged to 414.”What COVID-19 is doing to our community has created a grim reality,” Parish President Mike Cooper said. “This is without a doubt, the most dangerous phase of COVID that we have endured. Hospital beds are filling by the hour. Nurses, doctors and medical professionals are working longer hours with more stressful situations.””Our hospitals are being overwhelmed,” said Dr. Michael Hill with the St. Tammany Health System, where 115 of the 180 patients are being treated for the virus. “Don’t believe me? Come by the ER. There are lines now around the building because there are no seats in our waiting area.”Most of the people currently hospitalized in St. Tammany Parish remain unvaccinated. The government and health leaders at Monday’s news conference called on more people to get their shots.”The only way to stop this is freedom,” said Dr. Timothy Riddell, regional medical director at Ochsner Northshore. “I’ve heard a lot about freedom being talked about in the last couple of weeks. But this is the freedom to act responsibly.””Please do the little things that are patriotic,” Preston said. “Wear your mask. Get vaccinations. Protect your neighbor. You are your brother’s keeper.”Cooper said 49% of St. Tammany residents have gotten at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, as of Monday.
St. Tammany Parish health and government leaders filled a Monday news conference with metaphors portraying the surge in COVID-19 cases — among the terms: “tsunami” and “D-Day.”
“I am very frustrated with the position we are in,” parish corner Dr. Charles Preston told reporters inside the parish council chambers. “We are at war with the delta variant.”
The parish has seen nearly a tenfold spike in COVID-related hospitalizations since July 1. On July 1, 42 people were hospitalized with COVID in St. Tammany hospitals. The number has since surged to 414.
“What COVID-19 is doing to our community has created a grim reality,” Parish President Mike Cooper said. “This is without a doubt, the most dangerous phase of COVID that we have endured. Hospital beds are filling by the hour. Nurses, doctors and medical professionals are working longer hours with more stressful situations.”
“Our hospitals are being overwhelmed,” said Dr. Michael Hill with the St. Tammany Health System, where 115 of the 180 patients are being treated for the virus. “Don’t believe me? Come by the ER. There are lines now around the building because there are no seats in our waiting area.”
Most of the people currently hospitalized in St. Tammany Parish remain unvaccinated. The government and health leaders at Monday’s news conference called on more people to get their shots.
“The only way to stop this is freedom,” said Dr. Timothy Riddell, regional medical director at Ochsner Northshore. “I’ve heard a lot about freedom being talked about in the last couple of weeks. But this is the freedom to act responsibly.”
“Please do the little things that are patriotic,” Preston said. “Wear your mask. Get vaccinations. Protect your neighbor. You are your brother’s keeper.”
Cooper said 49% of St. Tammany residents have gotten at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, as of Monday.