TEXARKANA - The COVID-19 pandemic is at "a critical stage" here, causing the local health care system to be "overwhelmed," a Bowie County, Texas, official said Wednesday as federal data showed no intensive care beds available in Texarkana's hospitals.
Based on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data, a New York Times tracker on Wednesday showed intensive care occupancy at 100% in both CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System and Wadley Regional Medical Center, with 106 COVID patients hospitalized.
Asked for confirmation, a CHRISTUS spokesperson said reporting numbers at any moment could be very misleading because the situation is so fluid. Various factors - including increased levels of COVID and respiratory syncytial virus infection, or RSV - are contributing to higher hospital occupancy nationwide, he said in a statement.
"Our hospitals continue to stand ready and able to take exceptional care of our community. The recent increase in COVID-19 cases has resulted in devoting more of our resources to COVID care, and we continue to expand our critical care and ICU capability and response to the needs of the community during this surge," he said.
A Wadley spokesperson did not immediately respond to a phone message requesting comment.
Bowie County Health Authority Dr. Matt Young called upon residents "to help offload some of the burden that our health care providers are having to deal with."
"We're at a critical stage in the county. Our hospital systems, health care system, EMS systems are all overwhelmed. With that said, on an hourly, minute by minute basis, we are constantly rearranging to try to make room for each and every patient. But it is truly a struggle," he said.
There were an estimated 883 active cases of COVID-19 in Bowie County as of Tuesday, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. There were 211 active cases in Miller County, Arkansas, according to the state Department of Health.
A daily report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adds detail to the alarming assessment.
Tuesday's CDC Community Profile Report showed that Bowie County's COVID hospital admissions per 100 beds had increased by at least 26% over the previous week, the highest category tracked.
The report also listed Bowie County and all surrounding counties as "sustained hotspots," meaning communities that have had a high sustained case burden and may be higher risk for experiencing healthcare resource limitations.
The stress on the health care system is affecting everyone, not just those infected with the coronavirus, Young said.
"Those that may be having a heart attack or stroke, or motor vehicle accident, it may delay the time that EMS gets there. It may delay the time that you're getting taken care of," he said.
Vaccination and following CDC guidelines regarding wearing masks topped Young's list of what people can do to help.
"We're working as a community to try to assist everyone and keep their health at the top of our concern," he said. "But we also need help from the citizens themselves."