UNITY TWP. — As COVID-19 cases continue to climb in our region and the hospital systems continue to be taxed, Excela Health is reopening one of its satellite COVID testing sites in Unity Township.
”Our goal was really to try, to the extent possible, to decompress the emergency department,” Dr. Carol Fox, Chief Medical Officer for Excela Health, said.
Since Friday, Dec. 10., 726 new cases were reported in Westmoreland County.
Over one-third of the hospitalized patients in Excela Health are there because of COVID, according to health officials with the hospital.
Fox said the vast majority of those hospitalized are not fully vaccinated.
”Of the individuals who are in our hospitals, less than 15% of them are fully vaccinated, and those who are not have significant comorbid conditions that make them at the highest risk.
”As of Monday, more than 55,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Westmoreland County since the onset of the pandemic, according to data by the Department of Health.
”I will tell you, the number of patients we have hospitalized today is higher than our highest day last year. That’s something that’s very significant,” Fox said.
Fox is hoping by reopening its remote testing site, it will help relieve some of the strain being put on the health care system and its staff.
“A year ago, the tests themselves were not easily accessible; supply chain of such was that we had limited number of tests and that’s not our issue today,” Fox explained.
The testing site on Frye Farm Road will be open from 2-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment only.
You can call 800-727-9558 to set up an appointment.
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