Central Nebraska ICU Doctor Predicts COVID Surge "To Become Even Worse"

EThe surge in coronavirus cases in Nebraska put new pressures on hospitals across the state. At Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings the manager of the intensive care unit says his unit is full, but the hospital is prepared to take additional cases.

For the past few weeks, the population in the Mary Lanning intensive care has been hovering between six to ten patients. There are always a few on ventilators. During the summer, workers and family tied to the area’s food processing plants were often the hospitalized. Recently the patient profile shifted, favoring those age 60 and above. They are also the most likely to become critically ill.

“That’s what I don’t like,” said Dr. Daniel Brailita, the infectious disease specialist at Mary Lanning. “That’s very dangerous at this point.”

The patients are both from the south central Nebraska but others have been transferred from as far away as North Platte as other medical facilities found themselves unable to handle the influx of new cases or the specialized care needed.

”That puts quite a strain on the system,” said Brailita. “It’s not just the physical beds, but also you need to have the expertise to manage those patients.”

Some of the patients are from area senior centers and nursing homes, others live on their own. Either way, they catch the virus from those who likely have not been following the recommendations of public health professionals: wear a mask and avoid groups in close proximity.

Brailita told NET News “the situation is pretty serious and I expect it to become even worse before it starts decreasing”

Data from the South Heartland Public Health District shows it’s most rural area….Webster and Nuckolls Counties are racking up the highest rates of new infections.

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Editor’s Note: The proceeding story has been updated. Information provided to NET News stating a patient had been transferred from Scottsbluff was incorrect. A spokesperson from Mary Lanning Hospital confirmed a patient from North Platte had been treated.