When Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced a two-week “freeze” to help stop the spread of COVID-19 Friday, she mentioned concern about hospital capacity.
Some Portland-area hospitals have reduced elective surgeries as coronavirus cases surge.
Lane County Public Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrick Luedtke told KLCC he’s not concerned about local hospital capacity right now.
“I’m concerned for the long-term stress, because these hospital workers, hospital work is hard enough already, right, this is acute care. Tough things happen in the moment and people die.” Luedtke said. “But when you also include a pandemic and viral infections and all that extra gear you have to wear to stay safe, that’s wear and tear on humanity. So I’m worried about that longer term.”
Luedtke said Lane County hospitals in are in communication with public health and are preparing for more COVID-19 cases. He said the death rate for COVID-19 has been dropping as medical professionals better understand how to treat it. However, the long-term effects of the virus are still unknown.
Copyright 2020 KLCC.
