Lee Health reaches 108% staffed bed capacity, urging patience in ER

Lee Health has announced its hospitals are filled to 108 percent of staffed operational bed capacity. There are 237 COVID-19 patients as of Thursday morning.

To be at 108 percent of staffed capacity means 8 percent of patients who need to undergo treatment in the hospital are still waiting for a bed.

They are still being treated, but they don’t have a traditional bed.

Lee Health CEO Larry Antonucci hosted a press conference on Thursday to remind the public of their options when it comes to care, while urging patience in the ER.

Watch the press conference again in the player below or click here.

Antonucci also asked people to have patience with hospital staff despite the wait.

“Patients are frustrated, family members are frustrated,” Antonucci said. “Unfortunately, things are continuing to get worse as it relates to our capacity.”

But if you need help, the staff is ready.

“Today’s message is not that Lee Health is too busy to care for you. Today’s messages that we want you to seek the right care in the right location, so you get the care that you need in the most efficient and effective manner,” said Armando Llechu, chief officer of hospital operations at Lee Health. “The highest volume of patients that we had in the hospital during the delta peak was 1,674. Today we’re at 1,696.”

Lee Health is asking people with less than serious symptoms to stay home and seek help through the online portal.

“If your symptoms are mild we encourage you to leverage the telehealth platform,” Llechu said.

Mild symptoms include anything from nasal congestion to a slight cough that might feel like the common cold.

But if you’re having difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or chest pain, head to the emergency room.