Questions and Answer from the July 9 Community Engagement Virtual Meeting
Question #1: What are the current numbers?
CURRENT NUMBERS?
Positive cases in County 4- 5300
Positive cases in hospital- 53 positive patients; 19 are in critical care
Deaths in County- 148
Recovered Cases
- 3500
Positive Employees- 64
Positivity Rate- 11%
Hospital Census -301 patients in medical center
The state has performed 5 million tests. 289,000 have tested positive,
with a 7.1 positivity rate. It is a jump from the low 4% that the state
was reporting a few weeks ago. Two-thirds of the people who have tested
positive are younger than 50 years old. Of the 6,600 people who have died
statewide, 95 were frontline workers.
Question #2: There are rampant rumors that people are being counted multiple
times due to multiple tests. The County has denied that they are counting
patients more than once. Can you confirm that?
The County only counts that one person and not multiple tests. The State
is different and counts each test.
Question #3: There are rumors that KD is paid more for COVID patients and
that is why the numbers are going up. Can you go over the reimbursement
rate for COVID patients and dispel the myth that the hospital is getting
rich off of this pandemic?
Kaweah Delta receives a fixed amount per patient depending on their condition.There
is a fixed payment for diagnosis that need a respiratory system.COVID
is a respiratory virus.Medicare has bumped up the normal rate for respiratory
syndrome patient by an additional 20%.That 20% was put in place because
of the belief that COVID patients will stay longer, assume more resources,
staff will need more personal protective equipment, providing different
drugs, etc.The cost of care for the patient went up for us more than that
20% reimbursement rate.I can assure you that hospitals are not making
profit off taking care of COVID patients
Question #4a: When a person comes to KD’s drive-up specimen collection
site - do those tests go out to commercial labs?
When a person comes to KD’s drive-up specimen collection site - do
those tests go out to commercial labs?
It depends. There are 22 specimen collection sites in Tulare County, but,
only two or three that actually test as well. If a person is asymptomatic,
the collection will probably be sent to a commercial lab and those results
can take up to 17 days. If a person has symptoms, that collection will
go to the County and those results can take up to 2-3 days. If you are
a KD healthcare worker, or physician, resident, or patient or one of the
patients coming in for an elective surgery, the specimen will be collected
on Floral and the test will be conducted in house and we will have results
back same day or next day.
Question #4b: When a person presents to our Urgent Care or ED with symptoms
- do those tests stay in-house and get rapid results?
When a person presents to our Urgent Care or ED with symptoms - do those
tests stay in-house and get rapid results?
Not necessarily. If the person does not have symptoms, the collection will
probably go to a commercial lab. A person should not present at the Emergency
Department unless they have an emergent need.
Question #4c: One of our community member’s daughter teaches at St.
Paul’s. The principal is asking that the teachers get tested to
provide a baseline. Can she get tested at Kaweah?
One of our community member’s daughter teaches at St. Paul’s.
The principal is asking that the teachers get tested to provide a baseline.
Can she get tested at Kaweah?
Unlikely unless they have a physician’s order. If the person does not have
symptoms, that collection will be sent to a commercial lab.
Question #4d: Why are testing appointments 1-2 days out?
Why are testing appointments 1-2 days out?
Our specimen collection site on Floral Street is now testing approximately
250 people per day.We are reviewing the hours of operation.
Question #5: We are getting a lot of questions on the virus in general
right now on social media.
We are getting a lot of questions on the virus in general right now on
social media.
If you are showing symptoms - call your physician for a testing appointment
If you are not showing symptoms, monitor yourself. Take your temperature,
wear a mask, etc.
Question #6: Why are masks not required at The Lifestyle Center?
Why are masks not required at The Lifestyle Center?
TLC has only been opened a few weeks. Starting Monday, July 13th, we will require members to wear masks. Members will only be permitted
to remove their masks if they are doing high intensity exercise.
Question #7: Are all beds at Kaweah Delta that are designated for COVID
patients full?
Are all beds at Kaweah Delta that are designated for COVID patients full?
No. We have four units dedicated to COVID patients: ICU, 3 West, 2 South,
and Pediatrics. We currently have 12 open beds.
Question #8: Clinics are offering the antibody testing for $95.00. They
give you a kit to take home and send in. What are your thoughts on this testing?
Clinics are offering the antibody testing for $95.00. They give you a kit
to take home and send in. What are your thoughts on this testing?
When we conduct antibody testing we take a full test tube of blood, and
we will run that antibody test and it has been highly accurate. There
are many tests out there and various kits. Our form of testing we can
tell you how strong you are and provides a scale to know how prevalent
the antibodies are. We have shied away from all other forms of testing
because of accuracy.
Question #9: Does the County numbers reflect Kaweah Delta’s numbers?
Chat - Does the County numbers reflect Kaweah Delta’s numbers?
Yes, the counties numbers reflect our testing for COVID.