‘Anybody who comes into our health center will receive treatment’ as J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital addresses concerns about ICU numbers due to COVID-19

“Our intensive care unit, on average, operates at about 90-95% capacity,” Jones-Knopf said, adding that there had been a spike in ICU treatment due to COVID-19 cases.

The Facebook post causing rumors to swirl was a screenshot of Monongalia County Commissioner Tom Bloom posting, “I just got off the phone and the county commissioners have just been informed that all 86 beds are now filled in the ICU and there are no available beds at WVU Ruby Hospital. This information was just verified, and we are requesting why there was such a discrepancy from this morning.” Ironically, Bloom’s post ends with: “This miscommunication only leads to mistrust and confusion and this is not what we need at this time.”

When reached for comment, Bloom noted that he was posting to a Facebook group to clarify comments about ICU bed usage that had been discussed at Friday’s commission meeting.

“There was some arguing going on [in the Facebook comments], so I went to get the correct information and then shared it,” Bloom said. “At this time, it’s really important that we get as much correct information out there as possible, and make sure it’s not taken out of context. This is what I’ve seen a lot with COVID-19 — you don’t get all of the information, or it’s slanted, and we’ve got to stop this. We need to get clear information so the public knows this is a major concern, and we need everybody in this to work together.”

Jones-Knopf said that there is a plan in place if the ICU reaches capacity, which is to send patients to other hospitals in the WVU Medicine system, and also out of their system if necessary.

“But, again, that’s not something that is unusual — our hospital is busy all the time,” Jones-Knopf said. “If there is a mass casualty situation, and we were at 95% capacity in our ICU, we might have to transfer some patients to another hospital. That’s true of every hospital.”

She added that while the amount of ICU beds being filled is slightly higher than normal, it is not indicative of anybody who needs it receiving a lack of care or being turned away.

“Anybody who comes into our health center will receive treatment,” Jones-Knopf said. “That doesn’t always mean they will receive the entirety of their treatment at one of our hospitals; if we need to, we will transfer out. Our hospitals do not close.”