Tulsa Hospitals Hit New Records For Number Of COVID-19 Patients Receiving Care

Healthcare leaders said the COVID-19 situation is getting more dire in Oklahoma and Tulsa area hospitals addressed their capacity.

On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Saint Francis Hospital confirmed it hit a new high for the number of COVID patients across all of its locations, with 154 patients in the hospital. It is worth noting this number reflects patients in both regular beds and ICU beds. The hospital said more than 100 of those patients are at the 61st and Yale campus.  

Hillcrest HealthCare System said it hit its highest number of COVID-19 patients November 16, caring for 89 people with COVID-19 across all eight of its hospitals, among both ICU and regular beds. The hospital said Wednesday it was caring for 86 people with COVID-19 across all locations.  

For perspective, Hillcrest said for the past few weeks, its ICU bed capacity at all of its hospitals has been averaging between 95-98% full, with both COVID-19 and non-COVID patients. Before the pandemic, Hillcrest said that number would be slightly lower, around 90-95%. 

OSU Medical Center said it currently has the capacity to care for 41 COVID-19 patients. As of Wednesday afternoon, the hospital said it was treating 13 in its ICU. 

Ascension St. John deferred News On 6 to the State Health Department when we asked for information about their current situation. 

The latest numbers from the state shows 1,381 people are in the hospital because of COVID-19. There are 911 ICU beds statewide, 372 are being used by COVID-19 patients and 56 are unoccupied.