If Beaufort County is overwhelmed by coronavirus, here’s where patients could go

If the worst happens and Beaufort County hospitals are overwhelmed with coronavirus patients, some of them could be sent to Naval Hospital Beaufort and to area hotels, S.C. Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, said Wednesday.

“Everything is being done in Beaufort County to make sure these healthcare systems can ramp up if need arises,” Davis said. “Even though there isn’t a problem at this point, it is very prudent to look at the models and anticipate the worst-case scenario.”

Davis said he’s having ongoing conversations with S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster, officials from the S.C. Department of Human and Environmental Control and hospital representatives from Beaufort Memorial, Hilton Head Regional and Coastal Carolina hospitals.

“I feel very good about the projections,” Davis said. “We have really good contingency plans in place.”

Those plans include one in which the three hospitals would utilize space inside their buildings for additional beds. The temperature-controlled tents Beaufort Memorial has erected for screening patients could also be used for additional bed space, Davis said.

If more beds are needed beyond that, discussions about the use of other facilities such as hotels and the naval hospital have started though plans aren’t yet firm, Davis said.

Naval Hospital

The naval hospital, which typically doesn’t offer inpatient services, is large enough to house extra beds, Davis said.

Davis said one of the advantages of the hospital is that, as a military facility, it could “be put up quickly if needed,” Davis said.

Trey Savitz, Naval Hospital spokesman, said Wednesday he was aware of conversations about the possible use of the facility.

While the building could offer space, he said the hospital is not currently prepared to handle inpatient services, he said.

The building has 11 beds for out-patient treatment overall and lacks any significant equipment such as ventilators, Savitz said.

A census of ventilators completed by DHEC shows 32 of the devices in Beaufort and Jasper counties spread among the three civilian hospitals.

Like Davis, Savitz said the naval hospital, if needed, has the advantage of being a military facility which can adapt quickly.

Hotels

South of the Broad River, the governor’s office has been researching renting hotel space, Davis said.

“There is infrastructure on the island that isn’t being fully utilized right now,” Davis said. “We don’t have the tourists, and this is infrastructure that, if necessary, could be re-purposed.”

He said the hotel use idea was discussed with the governor’s office last week and did not include specific locations. The conversation also included renting medical park offices for additional bed space.

Hilton Head Town Council voted Monday to encourage rental companies and hotels to stop taking new reservations through the end of April.

The vote came before Gov. McMaster ordered a list of non-essential businesses to close, including tourist attractions, Tuesday. He closed the state’s public beach access and boat ramps Monday.

Mayor John McCann closed public beach access on Hilton Head Island March 21.

Dining-in services were banned statewide by McMaster on March 18.

Coronavirus Projections

“I really believe that the supply of personal protection equipment is there, the critical equipment like ventilators are going to be there when needed, and the beds are going to be there when needed,” Davis said. “I think there is a solid plan, and people should take reassurance in that.”

Recent models from the state and other sources show that, if social distancing continues, South Carolina will not see a shortage of beds, Davis said.

This story was originally published April 1, 2020 at 7:59 PM.