Dallas County down to just 32 available ICU beds as COVID-19 hospitalizations climb

DALLAS - The number of available ICU beds in Dallas County is getting alarmingly low. Meanwhile, the number of confirmed COVID-19 patients in local hospitals continues to set records.

There were more than 2,800 patients hospitalized because of the coronavirus in the North Texas hospital region Thursday.

That’s an increase of 63 from the day before and represents more than 17% of the staffed hospital beds in the 19-county region.

It’s also the 11th straight day for North Texas to be above the governor’s 15% threshold for bar closures and occupancy restrictions.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins talked about the troubling trend, and is urging people not to celebrate Christmas in groups, but to stay safe in their own bubble.

"We are also concerned that of these patients about a third of our patients right now are ending up in ICU and a fifth of those on ventilators," he said. "The numbers once again are going against us so we must tighten up our behavior."

Dallas County Health Director Dr. Philip Huang said the county currently has only 32 available ICU beds.

"We’re all monitoring. We’re all very alarmed at it. The numbers if they go up further it will be even more critical," he said.

Dallas County reported 2,258 new cases Friday, and ten more people lost their lives to the virus.

COVID-19 cases continue to soar, not just in Dallas County, but across the North Texas region.

"For the region, a record high 2,855 patients are hospitalized in North Texas right now. That’s gone up 85% since November 1," Jenkins said.

Statewide, there are more than 9,600 people in hospitals, close to the high marks set in July.

"20% of the people who are in the hospital will end up in ICU and 20% - 50% of those folks will not make it, successfully make it through their ICU stay," Jenkins explained.

The models suggest many more people will be sick by the end of this month, with an estimated 2,500 new daily infections in Tarrant County and 1,700 daily cases in Dallas County.

Jenkins said there are no plans to reopen the convention center to increase hospital capacity. Instead, hospitals will begin to use surgery suites or convert private rooms into double occupancy rooms if needed.

"Look, the way it works with our healthcare heroes is if they’re in a situation where they have to have people stacked on top of one another they’ll find a way to make it work but people should not be under the illusion that the care can be as good if we are far over normal capacity in our ICU and our hospitals," he said. "It’s not just about getting a bed or a ventilator. It’s about the human beings that are required to be around the clock help for that very sick ICU patient."

Both officials took the opportunity to remind people to wear masks any time they are indoors outside of their own home and avoid gatherings over the holidays.

The virus is hitting hardest now, even as healthcare workers and nursing home residents get first doses of vaccines.

"Very exciting, amazing scientific accomplishment," Dr. Huang said. "It shows us the light at the end of the tunnel, but I want to emphasize, in no way can we let our guard down or relax."

Governor Greg Abbott is pressing for hospitals to use two therapeutic drugs to treat people sick with COVID-19 before they require hospital care.

"These are lifesaving antibody therapeutic drugs that can be put into people who already have COVID-19 and help them recover and help keep them out of hospitals," the governor said.

But doctors say those drugs can only be used for certain people.

Those who are older than 65, have weakened immune systems, or with diabetes or kidney disease.

Dr. Mark Casanova, with the Dallas County Medical Society, explained the other group who can receive the drug.

"That group of patients who are beginning to show increasing symptoms, difficulty breathing. They need to report to an emergency room because these medications need an IV access for infusion," he said.

Despite drugs and vaccines, the virus is not yet backing or slowing down.