Phoebe: Covid-19 caseloads diminishing locally

“Our numbers continue to decline, though not as rapidly as we may like"

ALBANY, GA – As of Friday morning, these were Phoebe’s COVID-19 numbers:

• Total COVID-19 Patients in Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital – 78
• Total COVID-19 Patients in Phoebe Sumter Medical Center – 24
• Total COVID-19 Patients in Phoebe Worth Medical Center – 9
• Total Inpatients Recovered – 3,965
• Total Positive Deaths from Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital – 439
• Total Positive Deaths from Phoebe Sumter – 121
• Total Positive Deaths from Phoebe Worth – 1
• Total Vaccines Administered – 78,710

“Our COVID-19 numbers continue to decline, though not as rapidly as we may like.  We are down 23% from last Friday, and we hope that trend continues,” said Scott Steiner, Phoebe Putney Health System President & CEO.  “This is the fifth COVID surge our team has been through.  The Phoebe Family continues to serve with strength and dedication, but they need and deserve a break from this virus, and we hope that is coming soon.  We thank all those in the community who continue to reach out to us and show their support through prayers, uplifting messages, donations of meals and kind words.  Your support is meaningful, inspirational and greatly appreciated,” Steiner added.

This week, Phoebe received its largest shipment of monoclonal antibody treatments since a supply shortage began.  As a result, Phoebe removed the tiered eligibility restrictions for the therapy.  Anyone who may be at risk for developing serious illness following a COVID diagnosis may now be referred for the treatment, regardless of their age, vaccination status or other factors.  “With transmission of the virus slowing down and with more people being prescribed antiviral pills, which is now the primary outpatient treatment for COVID, demand for monoclonal antibodies is waning,” said Dianna Grant, MD, Phoebe Putney Health System Chief Medical Officer.  “Monoclonal antibody treatment continues to show great effectiveness in preventing hospitalization for COVID patients.  We are glad that our supply is improving, and we will administer the treatment to as many patients as possible as we continue to do all we can to prevent hospitalizations and alleviate suffering from this virus,” Dr. Grant added.

Patients with a recent COVID-19 diagnosis may be referred for a monoclonal antibody infusion by a physician or they may self-refer by calling 229-312-MYMD.