NCH has 90 COVID patients in its hospitals, encourages vaccinations

The Department of Health in Collier County says new cases of COVID-19 have doubled each week in the month of July.

NCH as of Thursday afternoon is close to 100 COVID-19 patients across its hospitals.

Now, the push for healthy and safety is back strong.

“So from around 10 patients at the end of June, we are all the way up to today we are at 90 total patients throughout the entire system,” said Carlos Quintero, chief quality officer and hospitalist at NCH.

On Thursday, NCH reported 90 patients who have tested positive for COVID. Of those, 80 patients are unvaccinated.

Sixteen patients, including one who has been vaccinated, are in the ICU.

The age ranges for COVID-19 patients are from 24 to 100.

“We are definitely seeing many patients that regret not getting the vaccine which would have potentially prevented them from getting admitted to the hospital,” Quintero said.

NCH announced Thursday they are partnering with the City of Naples to encourage vaccinations for the unvaccinated and to encourage masking once again.

Although Allessandra Higgs is vaccinated, she chose to put her mask back on while shopping at Publix.

“Uh oh, we are doing it again,” Higgs said. “Just have patience, that’s all.”

Meanwhile, Wynn’s Market employee Jamie Fox never stopped wearing hers.

“Yes, we all wear them inside,” Fox said. “And we ask our customers to. I don’t know if that’s mandatory just yet in the city, but hopefully it will be.”

Naples Fire Rescue Chief Pete DiMaria said don’t count on that.

“Quite honestly, I think mask mandates are off the table,” DiMaria said. “So we are hoping that everybody has individual responsibility and puts the mask on to be a kind neighbor, to be a good citizen and do the right thing for our community.”

Quintero said masking, social distancing and handwashing are the three most important things a person can do to stay safe.