DCH Coronavirus Update 11-3-21

Update Nov. 3, 2021

Vaccination for 5 – 11

The FDA and CDC have both approved the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine for children 5 through 11 years old. The COVID-19 vaccine for this age group is a reduced dose (10 microgram), two-dose series.

These lower dose vaccines will come from Pfizer with distinct markings to avoid confusion and should be shipped to providers as soon as this weekend. Sites such as pharmacies, pediatric health care provider offices and the health department will likely be able to offer this vaccine soon. Because of this anticipated availability, DCH will NOT be offering the pediatric dose of the vaccine at this time. However, DCH will continue to monitor the situation and if the demand dictates an additional need then this will be reevaluated.

State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said, “We believe the best way to protect everyone is to be vaccinated, including children and people who have been infected with COVID-19 previously. Parents with questions are advised to discuss vaccination for their children with their pediatrician, family physician or clinic and make the best decision based on scientific evidence and the guidance of their provider.”

COVID Update

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 Health System internal counts as of 3:34 p.m. on 11/3/21:

• 25 inpatients within the DCH system who are positive for COVID-19.
• 8 inpatients who are positive for COVID-19 are being treated in the ICU.
• 5 or fewer inpatients who are positive for COVID-19 are on ventilators.
• 11,886 (cumulative) unique positives for COVID-19 tests including results from the ED, triage tent and inpatient. These individuals are not necessarily in the hospital.
• 53,119 cumulative) unique negatives for COVID-19 at DCH sites.
• 14,284 (cumulative) positive COVID-19 at DCH sites. These individuals are not necessarily in the hospital.
• 110,958 (cumulative) negative tests at DCH sites.
• 4,208 inpatients (cumulative) who were positive for COVID-19 have been discharged.
• 761 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.