 County Readies Alternate Sites in Advance of Hospitalization Surge
Responding to recent spikes in positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, San Bernardino County is bringing back Alternate Care Sites (ACS) to handle possible hospital overload while ensuring those who need medical care are able to receive it.
An initial ACS has been set up in Parking Lot 14 at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) in Colton and is being referred to as the ACS Village. It is comprised of a nursing unit, patient care areas with 32 beds, an Isolation Pod, and a command center for staff breaks. The County is currently investigating additional potential sites near other County medical facilities.
“Our previous peak in hospitalizations was in early April, but we’ve recently experienced a significant increase in patients, including a doubling of our hospitalization rate over the past 30 days,” said Dr. Troy Pennington, an emergency room physician at ARMC. “Many of our hospitals are nearing the point of using beds beyond their normal licensed capacity.”
While County hospitals are currently able to handle the increased demand, the Alternate Care Sites are being established to handle potential surges in cases, allowing hospitals to focus resources on those patients with the most serious needs.
“We developed the Alternate Care Sites (ACS) under the authority of the County of San Bernardino and the Board of Supervisors. Locally, the ACS will be operated by ARMC and provide medical care 24/7. Any surge will first be handled within hospital areas, but ACS Village provides an opportunity to care for patients should our hospital fill up,” said ARMC Hospital Director, William Gilbert. “We are grateful to all of the County partners, physicians, nurses and other health care providers who have helped make this happen.”
ACS patients whose conditions worsen will be transferred back to a hospital. Dr. Pennington noted, however, that each ACS is equipped to handle the vast majority of patient needs and is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“We will devote the Alternate Care Sites to patients who have already been treated in a hospital and have significantly recovered, yet still require some care before returning home,” Dr. Pennington said. “That will free up beds and other resources for more severely affected COVID-19 patients, as well as people suffering from strokes, heart attacks, accidents and other emergency conditions.”
 Dr. Troy Pennington Discusses Hospitalizations and Readiness Plans
In this important video segment, Dr. Troy Pennington, emergency room physician at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC), explains the surge in hospitalizations and how the County is preparing for a future spike in coronavirus cases.
https://youtu.be/VpcfvAf5paE
Education/Engagement/Enforcement Plan Intended to Boost
COVID Compliance
Intensifying its efforts to combat COVID-19 and diminish spread of the coronavirus, the County has launched its COVID-19 Compliance Education/Engagement/Enforcement (EEE) Plan in coordination with local cities. It is designed to encourage compliance with federal, state and County public health mandates.
“Our primary emphasis is on educating high-risk businesses about the critical need to comply with these directives, while offering guidance to assist them in these efforts,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “We prefer to avoid punitive actions but will have no other choice if businesses continue to disregard public health ordinances.”
The County Fire Marshal and County Environmental Health Services Division will field a team of 30 inspectors who will be tasked with visiting businesses, confirm reported violations, and offer assistance to help them come into compliance. Businesses that continue to operate while ignoring public health requirements will be reported to the state Strike Team and/or local authorities for follow-up. Business owners or residents interested in reviewing the details can find a PDF of the EEE Plan on this webpage within the County’s COVID-19 website.
County Offers Nonprofits Face Masks at No Cost
We know that obtaining Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can be difficult at times, especially for our County’s important nonprofit organizations. In response to this need, the County will be providing complimentary disposable face masks to help 501(c)3 organizations throughout San Bernardino County.
To obtain free masks through the County's Purchasing Department, please email a request to vendor@pur.sbcounty.gov. In your email, share documentation designating your organization as a 501(c)3 non-profit, along with the number of masks needed for your organization. The Purchasing Department will contact you when the complimentary disposable masks may be picked up.
“We know that our nonprofits are bringing invaluable assistance to County residents during this pandemic, and we need to support them however we can,” said County CEO Gary McBride.
While the County has a significant number of masks, they are only available as supplies last, so don’t delay. The County is also asking that our County nonprofits only request what they need so we can help as many as possible. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact Valerie Clay with the County’s Support Services Group via email vclay@cao.sbcounty.gov.
Seven Inmates and Two Sheriff’s Employees Test Positive for COVID
Seven County jail inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. Three inmates are at the West Valley Detention Center and four are at the Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center.
A total of 217 County jail inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. Many of the inmates are only experiencing minor symptoms of the virus. The infected inmates are in isolation, being monitored around the clock, and are being provided with medical treatment. One hundred and sixty-seven inmates have recovered from the illness.
All inmates continue to be provided with face coverings, cleaning supplies, soap, and are urged to wash their hands repeatedly throughout the day. They are routinely reminded of the need to practice social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Two department employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and are self-isolating at home. A total of 140 department employees have tested positive for COVID-19. Ninety-five (95) employees have recovered from the virus; other employees are expected to return to work in the next few weeks.
Latest Stats
29,131 Confirmed Cases (up 4.1% from the previous day)
384 Deaths (up 0.3% from the previous day)
233,586 Tested (up 0.7% from the previous day)
For more statistics from the COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard, click the desktop or mobile
tab on the County’s sbcovid19.com website.
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