DCH Coronavirus Update 12-3-20

Replacing the Remote Coronavirus Screening Facility

DCH is replacing the temporary COVID-19 screening and testing tent with a metal structure for its remote screening facility in the large parking area just west of Dr. Edward Hillard Drive on its Regional Medical Center Campus.

The new building is modular and can be relocated as needed but offers much better protection from the elements, increased patient privacy and is intentionally designed for enhanced staff comfort and process flow.

On March 16, DCH first opened the remote site with a temporary tent. Since then the service has remained continually available despite weather damage and expansions. To date, over 15,000 tests have been completed at the site.

The new structure is 3,750 square feet with about 2,500 feet dedicated to the dual testing bays. The remaining space will be used for supply storage and staff support.

Screening and testing will begin in new building starting tomorrow, December 4. For now, hours and days for screening and testing at the remote site will remain Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 8 a.m. until noon.

Testing and Confirmed Cases

To protect patient privacy, DCH has established a minimum threshold of five for reporting numbers of inpatients with laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19.

DCH internal counts as of 4:10 p.m. on 12/3/20:

• 99 inpatients are positive for COVID-19.
• 27 inpatients who are positive for COVID-19 are being treated in the ICU.
• 7 who are positive for COVID-19 are on ventilators.
• 17 who are positive for COVID-19 are on a BiPAP.
• 4,930 (cumulative) unique positives for COVID-19 tests including results from the ED, triage tent and inpatient. These individuals are not necessarily in the hospital.
• 29,687 (cumulative) unique negatives for COVID-19 at DCH sites.
• 6,080 (cumulative) positive COVID-19 at DCH sites. These individuals are not necessarily in the hospital.
• 48,579 (cumulative) negative tests at DCH sites.
• 1,491 inpatients (cumulative) who were positive for COVID-19 have been discharged.
• 272 inpatients (cumulative) who were positive for COVID-19 have died at DCH. This is not an indication of the cause of death, only that the individuals were positive for COVID-19 at the time of death.
• 130 Tuscaloosa County residents (cumulative) who were positive for COVID-19 have died (per the Alabama Department of Public Health).