Inova Alexandria Hospital is at the beginning of a surge in COVID-19 cases, and says that hospital staff are acclimating to the new normal and are prepared for the days ahead.
The hospital is at half of its capacity and is currently treating about 60 patients for COVID-19, hospital CEO Dr. Rina Bansal told ALXnow.
There has been one death in Alexandria and there are 141 confirmed cases.
“We are at the beginning of the surge, and we are prepared to care for the community,” Bansal said. “Currently we have about 60 patients in the hospital that are being treated or tested for COVID.”
Bansal added, “We can take care of up to 303 patients. That’s how many beds beds we have, and we have surge plans that allow us to use other areas in the hospital to create more bed space.”
The hospital is managing its supply of personal protective equipment and is asking for donations of N95 respirator masks and surgical gloves. Bansal is also accepting food donations from restaurants for her staff.
Bansal is also conducting weekly calls with the entire hospital staff to discuss issues, and that the anxiety levels are down now that staff are adapting to the new normal.
“Things are going very well from the perspective of becoming more comfortable with taking care of COVID-positive patients, with taking care of how sick they can be,” she said. “I feel like the first few weeks really helped us prepare for what is here now and what may be coming.”
Bansal is asking residents to continue with hand hygiene and social distancing, and for people to hold their family members and friends accountable.
“I think that’s still key for us to continue to try to flatten the curve,” she said.
Inova Nurses are helping our patients any way they can during these challenging times, from medical attention to a friendly game of tic tac toe. #InovaHeroes
Posted by Inova Alexandria Hospital on Friday, April 3, 2020
Staff photo by James Cullum
Recent Stories
Francis Deonte Rose was found guilty today of two counts of aggravated murder in the 2022 shooting deaths of two construction workers in the West End. The Commonwealth Attorney’s Office…
It’s been a busy week in Alexandria. There were multiple mayoral and city council forums and debates this week as the city gets closer and closer to the June 18…
The Cinco de Mayo fiesta is starting early this Sunday in Carlyle. From 9 to 10 a.m., Tequila & Taco (540 John Carlyle Street) will be selling six-ounce margaritas for…
After missing an important mayoral debate this week due to a “freak accident” while canvassing that led to his hospitalization, Steven Peterson says that he’s done sitting on the sidelines….
Good news, D.C. area. You can save money on your next home cleaning with Well-Paid Maids. It’s easy!
We offer a discount when you set up recurring cleans — and the discounts just increased this week!
For weekly cleans, get $30 off each cleaning.
Potomac Harmony is Back! Following a gap year of competing, then virtual rehearsals during the pandemic, followed by the well-earned retirement of our long-term director, a year of a director search, Potomac Harmony hit the regional contest stage in Concord, North Carolina in March for the first time since 2018! It was exhilarating, reaffirming, and rewarding!
The chorus hit all of its goals, the biggest of which was to have fun and sing our best on contest stage — we did both! Because we earned a score over 400 points, our new Director, Allison Lynskey, was awarded the Novice Director award, photo above. Additionally, one of our charter members, Jackie Bottash, was nominated for and honored with the Leadership Excellence award. It was a celebratory weekend!
What’s next? So much! We now look forward to upcoming performances, growing our membership, and expanding our musical product with new arrangements and an education component each week. It’s an exciting time to be part of this ever-growing ensemble!
Alexandria NAACP, Shiloh Baptist Church, DPC to hold City Council…
The Alexandria Branch of the NAACP, Shiloh Baptist Church, and The Departmental Progressive Club to hold the City Council Candidate Forum for ALL Candidates in the City of Alexandria Virginia. The event is Free of Charge and Open to The
