Rochester health leaders seek community's help in slowing the spread of Covid-19

Amid a surge in Covid-19 infections, local health leaders are urging the community to take action now to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

“This is certainly an important point in this community and this region,” said Dr. Elie Berbari, chair of the Infectious Diseases Division at Mayo Clinic, during a virtual press conference on Friday.

Olmsted County has topped 800 cases in each of the past two weeks, with regional care providers also reporting a sharp uptick in hospitalizations. Earlier this week, Mayo had 32 patients in intensive care due to Covid.

Dr. Berbari said he expects the surge in cases to continue straining the hospital system for the next few weeks, given the lag time between individuals becoming infected and needing hospitalization.

While hospitals have been preparing for this moment, Dr. Berbari said the surge is starting to affect the Clinic’s ability to care for not only Covid patients, but other individuals as well. Across the Midwest, 1,500 Mayo employees have had work restrictions due to a Covid diagnosis or exposure. Mayo has also had to reduce elective procedures to 70 percent capacity.

“It’s very important that we start making changes today so we do not see a continuation of that rise over the next weeks,” said Dr. Berbari.

To slow the spread of Covid, Dr. Berbari and the other speakers encouraged the public to wear a mask, to practice social distancing, and to avoid large gatherings with the holidays approaching.

Graham Briggs, director of Olmsted County Public Health, said while we use the term frontline workers, we should instead be thinking of them as the last line of defense in the battle with Covid-19. That first line of defense, he said, comes from community members taking precautions.

“This prevents us from having to put more strain on these heroes that are doing the most difficult work happening with patients impacted by Covid-19,” said Briggs.

Kim Brake, a nurse manager deployed to Mayo’s general care Covid unit, has seen firsthand the physical and emotional toll the pandemic is having on health care workers, patients, and their families. She said it is important to remember that, in the fight against Covid-19, we are all in this together.

“On multiple occasions I have gowned up into personal protective equipment just to take a moment to be there for that patient,” said Brake. “I might go in to just hold a hand, visit with them, or just listen. Knowing that they can’t have their family member at the bedside, I can at least be someone that can show some support and empathy and to hopefully lessen that burden of isolation that they are feeling.”

Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.