Search

A SPIRIT THAT IS NOT AFRAID

Search
Home
Coronavirus
Community
Sports
Campus
Lifestyle
Opinion
Blogs
Video
Photo
Audio
About Us
Classifieds
Advertise

Auburn's News Source

The Auburn Plainsman

Tuesday, January 26, 2021 Print Edition

Send a News Tip
Donate
  • Coronavirus
  • Community
  • Campus
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinion
  • Video
  • Photo
  • About Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Community
  • Campus
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinion
  • Video
  • Photo
  • Audio
  • Blogs
  • About Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise

7/7/2020, 11:43am

EAMC sees COVID hospitalizations rise to levels not seen since May

By Jack West | Editor-in-Chief
EAMC sees COVID hospitalizations rise to levels not seen since May
Contributed by EAMC
EAMC is reporting an increase in cases and ventilator use which could potentially send many Alabamians back under a shelter in place order.

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Mail
  • Print

East Alabama Medical Center reported a continued rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations on Tuesday with a total of 41 cases being treated in the medical center earlier this week. 

This total is approaching the previous peak of COVID-19 hospitalizations — 54 — which EAMC experienced in April. 

The number of ventilators in use has also been climbing and, on Monday, reached its highest point since May. 

Ricardo Maldonado, an infectious diseases specialist at EAMC, and Michael Roberts, an internal medicine specialist and EAMC's chief of staff, said that if community adherence to social distancing and mask guidelines didn't improve, people may see another shelter in place order.

"If hospitals get overwhelmed again, another shelter in place order could come, along with its devastation on the economy and mental health," Maldonado said. "It is up to the public to help stop this upward trend in cases."

According to Maldonado, there are very simple things that people can do to slow the spread and prevent another shelter in place order.

"Not wearing a face mask inside a public building is simply irresponsible and selfish," he said. "I feel your pain as I also have family, friends and activities that I miss, but doing these few things to help stop the spread are a small price to pay to avoid another shelter in place order."


Sign up for our newsletter

Get The Plainsman straight to your inbox.


Maldonado said he remembers the conditions inside the medical center in April, the last time the state issued a shelter in place order. 

"I remember vividly that first week in April when we peaked," he said. "The anxiety in the ER, the ICU and the COVID-19 floor. [...] I saw even the toughest nurses break down out of fatigue and the feeling of hopelessness."

Maldonado said that the recent rise in cases is potentially more concerning than the rise in April because the transmissions are more widespread. 

"Right now, we have massive widespread transmission in our community, unlike what we saw in April, which was made up of smaller local outbreaks in places like churches," he said. 

Roberts said that even though some people are tired of following guidelines and hearing about COVID-19, that doesn't mean it is ok to relax them.

"We are all fatigued to some degree about the restrictions on gathering and travel," Roberts said. "For some, it is because they are uncomfortable, and for others, masks seem to have become a political issue. As the current graph reveals, now is not the time to let out guard down."

Share

Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.

Support The Plainsman

Jack West | Editor-in-Chief



Related Stories

Students walking in front of Samford Hall on Wed, Jan. 16, 2019 in Auburn, Ala.

AU COVID cases decline slightly amid vaccine rollout and low sentinel testing numbers

By Evan Mealins | Managing Editor

Jan 8, 2021; Auburn, AL, USA; Florida and Auburn compete during a gymnastics meet at Auburn Arena. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood/AU Athletics

Gymnastics meet between Auburn and LSU postponed

By Eamon Smith | Sports Writer

Richard Fitts (43) Auburn Baseball vs. Illinois Chicago Game 3 at Auburn University on Friday, February 15th, 2020. Photo via: Matthew Shannon/Auburn Athletics

Richard Fitts named preseason All-American by D1 Baseball

By Jake Gonzalez | Sports Writer


The Auburn Plainsman welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic.


Editor's Picks


1/26/2021, 5:49pm

Gymnastics meet between Auburn and LSU postponed

By Eamon Smith | Sports Writer / Eamon Smith | Sports Writer

1/23/2021, 3:49pm

Tigers set program record against South Carolina


1/22/2021, 4:31pm

Auburn volleyball cancels spring season


1/22/2021, 10:00am

City promotes natural biodiversity with wildflower program


Virtual Print Edition


Plainsman Podcasts

The Auburn Plainsman To Homepage
  • About
  • Contact
  • Archives
  • Advertise
  • Letters

All Rights Reserved

© Copyright 2021 The Auburn Plainsman

Powered by Solutions by The State News.