Hospitals prepare for virus patients

New Mexico had 23 positive cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday morning. None were in eastern New Mexico, but Roosevelt General Hospital and Plains Regional Medical Center continue to ready themselves for a potential flood of patients.

For now, officials from both hospitals have asked patients to call ahead of time if they think they might be infected and only visit the hospitals if they have a confirmed need.

Patients are encouraged to call the state hotline, emergency room or a local clinic, which will help identify if someone is infected and determine if that person is at risk of complications or can simply be treated at home.

Testing for the virus is available at both local hospitals, with samples being sent twice a day to be tested at a lab in Albuquerque. PRMC has had three patients tested so far, as well as several screenings, all of which have come back negative. Representatives from RGH could not comment on how many have been tested so far, but have not confirmed any cases in the county.

Representatives from Presbyterian Healthcare Services, which owns PRMC, said they've already received many calls from community members in Clovis and are making preparations across their network to accommodate a surge of patients. Presbyterian is preparing triage facilities and finding appropriate transfer locations if any of their hospitals exceed capacity.

PRMC has also considered postponing elective surgeries until the situation has passed.

On Monday evening, RGH had 20 beds available and was working to convert more rooms for use, though staff are unsure how many additional beds can be made available.

Despite ongoing shortages, both hospitals have masks, gloves and other supplies stocked to issue to staff and anyone who may test positive for the virus. Any patients with respiratory symptoms will be encouraged to wear them when entering the buildings.

Clovis Family Healthcare has shut down the Melrose clinic until the situation has been brought under control.

Both RGH and PRMC advise everyone to learn more about the virus using the Centers for Disease Control website as their primary source.