Lee Health partially resumes elective surgeries, has 169 COVID-19 patients Monday

Lee Health says it is partially resuming elective surgeries requiring an overnight hospital stay as the number of COVID-19 cases in the hospital system continues to drop.

Lee Health postponed elective procedures in the first week of January due to the omicron surge and high hospital census across the health system. The hospital system says elective surgeries will be phased back in based on the bed capacity at each hospital.

Here is Monday’s report:

• As of Monday morning, Lee Health has 169 COVID-19 patients isolated in its hospitals.
• Of these patients, six of them are being treated at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.
• Monday morning, the hospital census was at 92% of staffed operational bed capacity.
• Monday morning, census in the intensive care unit was at 88% of staffed operational bed capacity. There were 18 COVID-19 patients in the ICU.
• On Sunday, Lee Health emergency departments saw 710 patients, which is typical for a Sunday for this time of year.
• 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.

Lee Health said it is thankful for the patients of the community and patients while the elective surgeries were suspended and said the best way to prevent future COVID-19 surges is to get vaccinated and boosted.