The CDC and state department of health offices nationwide are collecting data from hospitals around the nation to evaluate the impact of Covid-19 in the United States.

Beth Endom, Vice President of Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer at South Central Regional Medical Center, said, “We report overall Covid-19 cases twice each day to the Corvena Continuous Operational Readiness System (COR) which goes to the Mississippi State Department of Health. It is due each day at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The report has 20 data points. We also send an excel spreadsheet with bed count; Covid-19 numbers; personal protective equipment (PPE) quantities; and staff information. The report is due to the MSDH each day at 10 a.m. and includes 30 data points. In addition to that, we submit a report with 100 data points through the HHS portal which consists of similar information, but at a much higher level of detail such as ability to maintain a 3-day supply of PPE, medications required for ventilator patients and additional information on staffing levels.” The Mississippi State Department of Health is required to send the data they receive to centers at the national level so national rates of Covid-19 can be evaluated.

“It requires a lot of time to complete the reports,” Endom said, “however, we understand their need to stay on top of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Mississippi hospitals so MSDH officials can properly lend their support.”

“As we all know, the pandemic is a local, state and national issue in the U.S., and we are doing our best to give the Mississippi State Department of Health what they need to make sound decisions,” she said.

She closed by asking the community to be diligent in reducing the spread of Covid-19.

“If you do not work in healthcare or have not had a friend or loved one impacted by Covid-19, then you may not understand the severity of the Coronavirus on those who are most at risk during this time. We encourage those in our community to comply with measures which reduce the spread of the virus such as wearing a mask; social distancing up to 6 feet; cleaning your hands with a hand sanitizer or by washing your hands often; and not meeting in large groups. It is going to require all of us working together to reduce the spread of the virus, reduce the impact to hospitals around the state and preserve life.”