'No Staffed Pediatric ICU Beds Available' In North Texas Area, DFW Hospital Council Says
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Amid the continuing surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council says there are currently "no staffed pediatric ICU beds available" in the North Texas area as of Thursday, Aug. 12.
According to President and CEO Stephen Love, there are 73 confirmed pediatric patients with COVID-19 who are currently hospitalized. That number "is the highest level ever of pediatric COVID-19 patients we have ever treated," Love said.
He also added that children's hospitals are treating an "unusual number" of patients for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for the summer season.
Love said the overall occupancy of pediatric patients to bed capacity is at 94.55% and that there are no staffed pediatric ICU beds in the North Texas area.
"Vaccinations are absolutely helping protect people and the unvaccinated are very much at risk with the increase in the Delta variant so wearing masks is also another effective tool against COVID-19," Love said.
As for adult patients, there are currently 2,690 patients with COVID-19 in area hospitals, which is 178 more than a day before.
Cook Children's Health Care System said it is not having to send patients to other hospitals at this time despite the surge.
"Bed availability is an ever-changing situation due to staffing, patient needs and other factors. Like many other hospitals in our region, Cook Children's Medical Center is seeing a high inpatient census due to COVID-19 and RSV, in addition to other illnesses and injuries. Capacity is tight but we are not sending patients to other hospitals at this time. If the situation arises where we cannot accommodate a patient at our hospital, we will find a bed for them at an appropriate facility," Cook Children's said in a statement.
Children's Health in Dallas also responded, saying, "We are experiencing a higher volume than usual at this time of the year. Our number of available beds changes very frequently throughout the day. We are prepared and equipped to provide care for children in North Texas."
