Frequently Asked Questions

CURRENT NUMBERS?

Positive cases in County - 7,876

Positive cases in Kaweah Delta- 81

Deaths in County -168

Recovered Cases - 4332

Positive Employees- 226

Positivity Rate- 7.4% State - 12.1% County- 19% at KD

Hospital Census- 90% occupancy rate

Covid19.tularecounty.ca.gov

The community does not believe that hospitals are really full. They are probably basing that belief on earlier reports that our census was low. We are talking about our census on these calls, but, do we need to get that information out on our snapshot?

Yes, absolutely. Kaweah Delta is at 90% occupancy today.

Does KD send out COVID test results by mail?

We do not notify people of results by mail. If you have the letter, please send it to us so that we can try to track down where it is coming from.

Is the Kaweah Delta Emergency Department a COVID testing site?

No, our Emergency Department is not a COVID testing site. We have to reserve our hospital testing for patients who need medical attention. If you are seeking a test - try one of these options:

Call your physician.

Call Kaweah Delta’s Hotline at 559-624-4110.

Call 211.

Visit Tulare County Health and Human Services for a list of testing sites in Tulare County.

What is the average age of hospitalized patients? Are they trending younger than previously?

Out of the 81 COVID positive cases at Kaweah Delta today, there is one case between ages 5-17; five cases between ages 18-34; 20 cases between ages 35 - 49; seven cases between ages of 50-59; seven cases between ages of 60-64; 13 cases between ages of 65-69; 18 cases between ages 70-74; four between 75-79; and six that are 80 and above.

In light of this current surge, is the hospital still struggling with PPE?

No, we currently have a sufficient supply of masks. Recently, the supply channels are breaking down and falling behind in manufacturing so we are starting to feel the squeeze but we are stabilized. On another note, what we are struggling with is COVID testing supplies.

If the new testing kits, such as the one available at CVS, can test false negative if the sample is not good, isn’t that a risk to the community?

Yes, it has been a concern. At Kaweah Delta we make sure the sample collection is being taken by a registered nurse who is trained.It is not only important to get a sizable sample, but we want to make sure the patient is not injured during the collection procedure.

Are the staff members who are contracting the virus the ones who are working with COVID positive patients?

Some of our employees have contracted COVID while taking care of COVID positive patients. We also have employees who have contracted it from family members and being out in the community.

Various sources are telling us that hospitals and care providers have improved outcomes by as much as 50%. Do we see any sign of this at Kaweah Delta?

Definitely from initial admissions. We have routine protocols to provide Remdesiver and antibody plasma. Between breathing treatments and drug, we are becoming more familiar with how the body acts with this virus We are experiencing more celebratory discharges than we are deaths. We are seeing vast improvement.

Do we hire traveling nurses?

Yes, we have 40 traveling nurses and are looking to hire 40 more. The Department of Defense delivered a team of 13 to assist our staff last week.

Do you know the percent of testing being done daily at KD?

350-400 specimens are being collected through all our KD sites.

Are these past COVID positive patients testing again to get a negative test or new symptomatic patients?

There are instances where we have to test a patient multiple times.

Can we add the percentage of the positivity rate to our daily dashboard?

Yes.