With both Laredo Medical Center and Doctors Hospital overwhelmed and at capacity with the surge in COVId-19 cases, the City of Laredo has issued a second emergency message that pleads with Laredoans to stay home and limit activity to essential purposes.
“Both hospitals have initiated diversion with over 36 patients in overflow in their ERs. In line with the City of Laredo’s Surge Plan patients will be diverted to Laredo Specialty Hospital,” said Laredo Health Authority, Dr. Victor Treviño.
City of Laredo Fire Chief Guillermo Heard, who is also the Emergency Management Coordinator, is diverting patients to other hospitals outside of the city, as needed.
Therapeutic Infusion Center
Since it’s opening on Tuesday, January 12, the COVID-19 Therapeutic Infusion Center at the Haynes Recreation Center has treated 109 patients.
The center was created through a partnership between the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the City of Laredo. Local medical professionals can refer patients with mild symptoms to this center for treatment, which was opened with the sole purpose of treating patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms and reducing the hospitalization rate in our community.
Patients admitted to the center receive a monoclonal antibody treatment, including Bamlanivimab and Regeneron. Below is a breakdown of how many patients have been treated so far: Tuesday, January 12 – 5 patients; Wednesday; January 13 – 15 patients; Thursday, January 14 – 30 patients; Friday, January 15 – 30 patients; Saturday, January 16, – 29 patients.
The center can administer 15-20 treatments a day with a capability of expanding to 30-40. That expansion process is already in effect, and more beds will be added to the infusion center in the coming days. The infusion center operates Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Appointments are by physician referral.
As of Friday, January 16, the COVD-19 death toll in Laredo and Webb County reached 563.
