Q&A: PRMC official talks COVID-19

Clovis’ Plains Regional Medical Center has been reporting an increasing number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in recent weeks — 18 were hospitalized on Friday, compared to two on July 22.

The News on Thursday sent the following questions to PRMC officials. Deborah McAlister, PRMC’s chief nurse executive, responded on Friday:

Question: About what percentage of those seeking treatment for COVID-19 have been vaccinated in recent weeks? Are you finding symptoms less severe for those who have been vaccinated?

McAlister: We do not track vaccination status. The New Mexico Department of Health tracks vaccination status and most recently reported that 93 percent of hospitalizations were among the unvaccinated. The biggest impact that we see of vaccinations is that many of those who are vaccinated do not end up in our care.

Q: Texas is reporting its hospitals are being filled with COVID patients. Are any PRMC patients transfers from Texas or elsewhere? Or would you say the great majority of PRMC COVID patients live in the Clovis area?

McAlister: PRMC, like hospitals throughout New Mexico, has accepted transfers from Texas hospitals as they fill up. The majority of our patients are local and not from other states.

Q: Is PRMC transferring COVID patients to other area hospitals?

McAlister: Depending on the severity of a patient’s condition, we may transfer to another hospital. We’re not transferring out many patients and they are generally receiving care here.

Q: PRMC reported two COVID-related deaths early this week, but the state has not reported a local COVID death since late last week. What was the county of residence for the PRMC patients who died from this week?

McAlister: There is a lag time in reporting by the state. The county of residence for the PRMC patients (who died) were DeBaca and Quay.

Q: How are COVID patients being treated at PRMC? What medications are proving most effective?

McAlister: Most of the treatments can include Remdisivir, various antibiotics, corticosteroids and monoclonal antibodies. Each patient is unique so responsiveness to treatment varies.

Q: Are you seeing trends that suggest this surge might be leveling off? On the decline? Just getting started?

McAlister: The delta variant is shown to spread more quickly than previous strains of the virus so state data suggests that cases will continue to grow.

Q: Are you seeing more young people suffering from COVID than you saw last year? Or are patients still more likely to be elderly with compromised immune systems?

McAlister: We are seeing a greater mix of patients. The elderly and immunocompromised have higher vaccination rates than the general population and vaccines are proven to decrease likelihood of hospitalization and death.

Q: Does PRMC have a policy related to whether employees must be vaccinated?

McAlister: We do not have a policy in place to require vaccinations but strongly encourage our workforce to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their patients and their community.

Q: Do you still believe vaccines and wearing facemasks are effective tools for preventing the spread of COVID-19?

McAlister: Yes. With the highly contagious nature of the delta variant among both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, the added layer of protection that a mask and social distancing provide are critical. We encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated. If anyone has concerns and questions that they want answers to before getting the vaccine, we understand and our clinicians are here to help.

Q: Are there some people -- like those who are pregnant or undergoing chemotherapy for example -- who should not be vaccinated? Or should everyone be vaccinated over the age of 12?

McAlister: We encourage everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated. Current CDC guidance on eligible populations includes those who are pregnant or immunocompromised. For these specific populations, a conversation with their health care provider can bring comfort and support in making an informed decision so we encourage those conversations to occur.

— Compiled by Publisher David Stevens