Lee Health has 253 COVID-19 patients isolated in its hospitals

Lee Health says this has been the deadliest week for COVID-19 patients since the start of the year.

According to a statement from the hospital, 20 COVID-19 patients died this week bringing the total count of deaths this year to 85.

Lee Health said this week has given the community optimism, but the deadly virus still continues to kill the vulnerable.

“Getting vaccinated or boosted today will save lives, whether it be your own or a loved one you might inadvertently expose,” Lee Health said. “The peak of the omicron surge has passed, but further mutations of the virus can cause devastation to families of vulnerable people. Getting vaccinated today not only protects yourself but also helps deprive this virus of opportunities to mutate as it spreads through our population.”

• As of Friday morning, there are 253 COVID-19 patients isolated in Lee Health hospitals.
• Of those patients, five of them are being treated at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.
• On Friday morning, our hospital census was at 94% of staffed operational bed capacity.
• On Friday morning, census in the intensive care unit was at 95% of staffed operational bed capacity. There were 36 COVID-19 patients in the ICU.
• On Thursday, Lee Health emergency departments saw 811 patients.
• On Thursday, Lee Convenient Care saw 356 patients.
• Lee TeleHealth is currently free and is an easy alternative to avoid longer than normal wait times at urgent care centers. To access Lee Telehealth, download the Lee Health app or visit www.LeeTelehealth.org.