AdventHealth Central Florida Division COVID-19 update: Aug. 24, 2021

August 24, 2021 — Growth of new COVID-19 cases at hospitals in AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division appear to be leveling off, but continue to be at the highest levels seen since the pandemic began with about 1,680 COVID-19 inpatients across the Central Florida Division which includes Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Polk, Volusia and Flagler counties.

Despite this continuing surge of COVID-19 cases, there is growing need to address quality of life situations for non-COVID patients. As such, AdventHealth will resume limited, urgent outpatient procedures later this week. Patients will be notified if their procedure will be scheduled.

“We aren’t by any means out of the woods when it comes to number of very sick patients being cared for in our hospitals,” said Dr. Neil Finkler, chief clinical officer of AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division. “Although we are not yet able to fully return to normal, after more than three weeks of only performing emergency surgical procedures, we understand the need in our community to handle some limited, urgent non-COVID outpatient procedures which address quality-of-life situations.”

While limited, urgent outpatient procedures, which do not require an overnight stay in the hospital, will be performed at some facilities, AdventHealth Central Florida hospitals will remain in ‘black’ status due to the number of COVID patients requiring ICU-level care still being treated in our hospitals.

Remaining on black status means:

• All hospital-based outpatient procedures requiring an overnight stay will be deferred
• Outpatient surgery sites will only conduct limited, time sensitive and urgent procedures
• Time sensitive pediatric procedures can be conducted with approval of the chief medical officer

Patient safety, safety of the entire health care team and the ability to care for our community remain the tenets of this and all decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Is hospital capacity at risk?

A: Hospital capacity continues to be at critically high levels. Our hospitals are designed in such a way that spaces are flexible and expandable. AdventHealth has an extensive health care system in place in Central Florida so we can locate patients to the facility that best matches the level of care they need.

Q: Do you have enough supplies and ventilators?

A: We have sufficient supplies of ventilators, monitors and other specialized equipment, including oxygen and personal protective equipment.

Q: What percentage of COVID inpatients are vaccinated?

A: Less than 10% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across AdventHealth Central Florida’s system are fully vaccinated.

Q: Is AdventHealth administering COVID vaccines?

A: AdventHealth continues to offer COVID vaccines for the public at six Centra Care locations. AdventHealth also is offering COVID vaccines to inpatients at its hospitals throughout the Central Florida Division.

Q. Where should I go if I think I have COVID?

A: Rapid COVID testing is offered at all Centra Care locations. Only go to the emergency room if you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing.