Lee Health officials on Monday reported that since the first of the year, 30 patients in their hospitals have lost their lives due to COVID-19, including two on Sunday.

Lee Health said since the start of the pandemic, 1,292 patients have died from COVID-19 in their facilities.

“While the majority of people who get sick will experience less severe symptoms, others may end up hospitalized, in the intensive care unit, on a ventilator, or pass away,” said Lee Health spokesperson Jonathon Little in an email. “This is particularly true for those with compromised immune systems, older patients, or who are otherwise vulnerable. These extremely negative outcomes are why Lee Health continues to recommend vaccines and boosters, social distancing, and frequent hand washing.

“Our hearts are with the families and friends of the nearly 1,300 of our neighbors who have lost their lives to this unrelenting virus.”

By the Numbers

As of Monday morning, there were 354 COVID-19 patients isolated at Lee Health inpatient hospitals.

Of those patients, 11 are being treated at Golisano Children’s Hospital.

As of Monday morning, hospital census was at 94% of staffed operational bed capacity. Staffed operational capacity reflects the number of beds for which the hospital has adequate staffing, not the total number of beds within Lee Health hospitals. Overall bed capacity fluctuates hour to hour as the system discharges patients throughout the day who are ready to go home. Census in the intensive care unit was at 90% of staffed operational bed capacity on Monday. There were 44 COVID-19 patients in the ICU.

On Sunday, Lee Health emergency departments saw 769 patients and Lee Convenient Care saw 303 patients.

Officials added that Lee TeleHealth is currently free and an easy alternative to avoid longer than normal wait times at urgent care centers.

Lee Health is making this service free for community members so they can utilize urgent care telehealth services from the comfort of their homes. This option allows anyone with non-life-threatening COVID-19 symptoms to avoid long COVID-19 testing lines, Lee Convenient Care locations and the emergency department. Lee Health emergency departments are not designated COVID-19 testing locations. The normal cost of a visit is $49.

“Lee TeleHealth is an on-demand medical service that connects patients directly with a physician or advanced provider and is available 24/7,” officials said. “All you need to use Lee TeleHealth is a smartphone, tablet or a computer with a webcam.”

To access Lee Telehealth, download the Lee Health app or visit www.LeeTelehealth.org.