This week, AdventHealth’s Central Florida division transitioned to “Yellow Status,” which will allow for additional deferred surgical procedures to move forward. AdventHealth has about 1,120 COVID-19 inpatients across the Central Florida Division, which includes Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Polk, Volusia and Flagler counties. The census reflects a gradual decrease since AdventHealth Central Florida’s peak of about 1,700 on Aug. 23.

Under Yellow Status:

  • New surgical procedures are reduced to maximize efficiency
  • New elective surgeries that require inpatient admissions will be deferred
  • All scheduled elective surgeries that will utilize an ICU bed must be approved by the campus chief medical officer
  • Outpatient surgery sites and pediatric surgeries continue as normal

“We are grateful to the community for their support and patience. We know there are people who have been waiting patiently for certain procedures, and we want to be able to care for them as soon as possible,” said Dr. Neil Finkler, chief clinical officer of AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division. “Our teams have been working very hard to get us into position to be able to extend care to more of our community. The situation continues to improve in our hospitals, but we still have a ways to go before we’ll feel comfortable enough to return to normal operations.”

AdventHealth will continue to monitor hospital census and make adjustments as necessary to continue to care for everyone in the community.

Below are insights on the latest COVID-19 information, and more details on AdventHealth’s response efforts and community involvement.

Keeping You Safe – COVID-19 Update

Do You Need a Covid-19 Booster Shot? Here’s What to Know – In August, the White House announced that Covid-19 booster shots should start the week of September 20. Healthy people should be eligible for booster shots on a rolling basis, starting eight months after their first vaccines. The Healthy recently featured Dr. Vincent Hsu, AdventHealth’s executive director of infection control, in this recent article about the Covid-19 booster shot. 

Majority of New COVID-19 Cases Are in Children – Health experts are raising concerns over how the Labor Day holiday will impact the number of COVID-19 cases. Dr. Tim Hendrix, medical director at AdventHealth Centra Care said he expects new COVID-19 cases to rise in the coming weeks. “Children still make up the majority of positive tests. Young children, school age children are most likely positive at this time,” Hendrix said. Doctors are monitoring child cases closely because it could lead to an overall increase in cases. More details here.

Orlando OBGYN Battles Misinformation About Vaccines, Pregnancy & COVID-19 – Dr. Rachel Humphrey, AdventHealth Orlando’s director of high-risk pregnancy care, says pregnant women are among COVID-19 patients in the hospital, and many of them are unvaccinated. She says one of the most common things she hears from those patients who are unvaccinated, and their families is that they didn’t get the shot because they didn’t know if it was safe. “Studies have shown that there’s no overlap between the proteins that a woman carries in a reproductive system and the proteins of COVID. So it doesn’t make sense that being vaccinated or having the infection would be linked to infertility at all.” She’s optimistic that with hospitalizations falling, the worst of the surge is behind us, but adds the pandemic is not over yet. More details here.

AdventHealth Orlando’s Chief Medical Officer: COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness – In a recent interview with WMFE, Dr. Victor Herrara, AdventHealth Orlando’s Chief Medical Officer, says through his entire career he has never seen a vaccine that is as effective at preventing severe illness as the COVID-19 vaccine. He says even with some breakthrough cases, the majority of people in the hospital and ICU throughout the latest months-long surge, continue to be unvaccinated. More on the interview here.

Keeping You Safe – Flagler and Volusia County

Covid Hospitalizations in Flagler Crest, But Schools See 173 Infections in 3 Days – Admissions at AdventHealth Palm Coast hospitals in central Florida, which had reached record levels in the fourth Covid wave, crested seven days ago, and have been falling each day since. As of Monday, covid-related deaths of Flagler residents totaled 164 deaths, an increase of 10 over the week, bringing the total to 50 reported just in the month of August. The school district reported 166 student infections, by far the highest total recorded on any reporting day, bringing the total student infections to 612. The district was on pace to accumulate twice as many infections in its first four weeks as it experienced all of last year. Read the full article here

Drive-by Shows Appreciation for Health Care Workers – This week, a parade of cars drove past AdventHealth Palm Coast Friday to show support for the health care workers in a drive-by organized by the Rotary Club of Flagler Beach in coordination with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and AdventHealth. See the photo here.

Important Resources

We encourage you to use the following resources for your top COVID-19 questions and concerns:

  • COVID-19 Vaccines: Vaccines are readily available at multiple locations: visit Vaccines.gov or Centra Care.
  • COVID-19 Testing: Rapid COVID testing is offered at all Centra Care locations. Only go to the emergency room if you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing. Find a location near you and reserve your spot in line with this online booking tool.
  • Coronavirus Vaccine Resource Hub – AdventHealth launched a Coronavirus Vaccine Resource Hub and includes everything from FAQs, latest news and information on the AdventHealth vaccine team and our scientific committee. Visit www.CoronavirusVaccineFacts.com to learn more about the vaccine.
  • If you have questions about COVID-19 or wonder if you should be tested, call the free AdventHealth Coronavirus Information Line at 877-VIRUS-HQ (877-847-8747). You can also find information at www.CoronaVirusSignsAndSymptoms.com.
  • Donation Hub – For ways you can help, including sending notes of encouragement to our caregivers, as well as virtual volunteering opportunities, please click here.
  • Mental Health – If you, your family, or colleagues, are in need of emotional help during this uncertain time, the Heart of Florida United Way 211 Information and Referral Crisis Line is connecting residents with information about available resources in the Central Florida community. Whether it’s finding out the location of the nearest food pantry or seeking information related to the virus, 211 Call Specialists are there to help.
  • Virtual Visit Options – AdventHealth Virtual Visits are available now for primary care, pediatrics and specialty care, as well as physical therapy. In the comfort of your home, you can speak with a medical provider by a video visit or phone call.

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Brayonna Fulmer
AdventHealth
Sr. Marketing Specialist | Care Communities & Market Strategy

Central Florida Division | Seminole & West Orange

M 386-589-9308