There’s light at the end of the long, dark tunnel.
OSF Healthcare St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg reported yesterday afternoon that their COVID-19 inpatient census has reached zero.
At the height of the pandemic in the western region for OSF, the number of COVID-19 patients reached 27. That surge was on October 23 of last year.
The hospital chain says that while the number will change as the pandemic continues, “the milestone is a testament to the tremendous strides made by the medical community, especially the development of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.”
While the global pandemic has seen healthcare workers everywhere, including OSF’s Mission Partners, helping patients as hospitals around the nation and the world filled up.
Lisa DeKezel, President of OSF St. Mary Medical Center, called the COVID vaccine the best shot to help end the pandemic, adding that, “this benchmark of zero COVID-19 inpatients is proof the vaccine is helping to keep people out of the hospital.”
Currently, COVID-19 vaccines are readily available and anyone 12 years of age or older is eligible to receive one.
The Knox County Health Department has scheduled an open to the public Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine clinic on Monday, June 28, and Mary Allen West Towers Community Room.