LVMC COVID-19 Community Update, April 17, 2020

Dear Lompoc Valley Community:

Below, please find an update regarding the COVID-19 situation from the Lompoc Valley Medical Center perspective. There has not been significant change since the last update on April 8, but there are some things of note:

Our Healthcare Workers and Medical Staff. Our frontline healthcare workers, support staff, physicians, and allied health professionals are doing a tremendous job. The work they are doing is truly inspiring and we are very proud of them. From the incredible support we have received, we know that the Lompoc Valley Community feels the same way.

COVID-19 Patient Volume from the Lompoc Valley Community. From the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, LVMC has had only three COVID-19 positive inpatient admissions originating from the general Lompoc Valley Community. Of those three, there were none that were in the ICU, and there have been no deaths. Presently, we have one COVID-19 positive inpatient from the general Lompoc Valley Community.

Incidence of COVID-19 Positive in the Lompoc Valley Community. According to Santa Barbara Public Health Department, there have been 60 COVID-19 positive test results from the Lompoc Community (which includes Vandenberg Village and Mission Hills and excludes the Federal Correctional Complex). By comparison, Santa Barbara has 43, and Santa Maria has 86. Applying population data, this equates to 1 positive test result per 1,014 population for Lompoc Valley; 1 per 2,124 for Santa Barbara; and 1 per 1,249 for Santa Maria. As previously mentioned, only 3 of the 60 COVID-19 positive cases in the Lompoc Valley Community required hospitalization.

Federal Correctional Complex (FCC). In the past, I have provided information regarding the number of hospitalized patients from the FCC. Now, and going forward, I will not be providing that information, as any comment will be deferred to the Bureau of Prisons. I can tell you, however, that work has begun on providing enhanced onsite medical capabilities at FCC. More information will be forthcoming soon.

Alternative Care Sites Within the Hospital. In addition to the previously discussed COVID-19 wing established in our medical/surgical unit, we have retrofitted our preoperative area to create 12 beds to use for non-COVID-19 patients. We have utilized these beds on a trial basis, and it has worked well, as planned. We have also retrofitted our large Physical Therapy area within the hospital to use for up to 12 additional inpatient beds, for COVID-19 purposes, if it becomes necessary.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)/Donations. We have sufficient PPE at this moment in time. However, the adequacy of our PPE inventory changes daily, so we continue our best efforts to conserve. We are gratefully accepting donations of all PPE, including hand-sewn masks. If some of the donations are not appropriate for use by healthcare workers but are suitable for the general public, we will make sure they get to Lompoc community members who can use them.

Lompoc Health Telehealth Visits. Telehealth visits (remote video or phone physician/provider visits) are now available for existing Lompoc Health patients. We currently have 28 of our Lompoc Health Providers established to provide telehealth visits. They include the specialties of Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Urgent Care, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, Orthopedics, ENT, General Surgery, and Oncology. Those wishing to schedule a telehealth visit should call the Lompoc Health Customer Care Department at (805) 737-8700 for North H Center, and (805) 736-1253 for North Third Center.

Donations. A huge thank you to the following businesses and individuals who have made donations of Personal Protective Equipment and supplies, food for our healthcare workers, and other acts of kindness. You are all very much appreciated!! CoastHills Credit Union; CenCal Health; Dunn School; American Host; Kateri and Chris Kingsley; Katherine Milham; Sweet Bliss Sugar Scrubs and Co.; Carol Kirkland; Dr. Iris Radler; Donna Bommersbach; Patricia Henry; Nancy Manes; Annamie Lafferty; Marilyn Romine; Courtney & Mitch Barnham; Ida Kreds; Ingrid Kaper; Judy Carpenter; Space X; Lompoc Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Santa Barbara Foundation; Lompoc Hospital District Foundation; Lompoc Unified School District; Lompoc YMCA; Floriano’s Mexican Food; Circle K; Keller Williams Realty of Lompoc; Girl Scouts of Lompoc; Arbonne independent distributors; Orcutt Bakery; Northrop Grumman; L3Harris Technologies; Astrotech Corp.; Harbor Freight; Home Depot; Direct Relief; Heath Dental; CHC Dental; Mikowicz Dental; Kimberly Nails; Not Alone Plumbing; Artisan Uprising Winery/Azeo Distillery; Starbuck’s Store 496; Tom’s Burgers; Super Grill; Sign Gypsies Central Coast, (if I missed anyone I apologize and will update next time!)

Thank you, Lompoc Valley Community, for your tremendous support of LVMC and our healthcare workers!! As always, please feel free to contact me at popkins@lompocvmc.com or (805) 737-3301. Until next time, be well and stay safe!

Steve Popkin
Chief Executive Officer