Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas has requested a mobile medical unit from the Texas Department of State Health Services to help reduce extended emergency room wait times that could be caused by rising COVID-19 cases, a Baptist spokeswoman said Tuesday.
The 12-bed unit, which will be staffed by Baptist Hospital, will help the hospital triage cases that come into the emergency room.
The unit also will help take pressure off the other hospitals in Southeast Texas, including Christus St. Elizabeth and Medical Center of Southeast Texas, said Baptist spokeswoman Mary Poole.
"We're prepared," Poole said. "We're not turning away anyone."
The mobile medical unit is intended for patients who do not need to be admitted or for COVID patients, but it will free up space for patients with critical needs that might experience longer waits in the emergency room while medical staff diagnose them.
"It makes a huge difference," Poole said.
She said she isn't certain when the mobile medical unit will arrive.
COVID cases are on the rise across the country, with many new cases among unvaccinated younger people.
After more than a year of experience, Poole said Baptist medical staff has learned how to deal with the viral infections it causes. However, it is causing more emergency room visits.
"We're stocked up on supplies. We are prepared," she said. "It will help all ERs."
Also on Tuesday, the Jefferson County Tax Assessor-Collector's office will reopen its Mid-County office today, said Allison Nathan Getz, assessor-collector, after 17 employees in the Mid-County and Port Arthur offices tested negative on Tuesday.
Getz had closed the two offices last week after three employee tested positive for the virus, she said.
The Port Arthur tax office will remain closed for the rest of the week for renovations , she said.
"I feel it was important to jump ahead of this issue when three of our co-workers tested positive," Getz said in a written statement. "We will remain vigilant regarding COVID and continue transparency for Jefferson County."
More employees, primarily from the Beaumont courthouse office, will be tested on Friday. Getz said she also has tested negative for the virus. Thus far, all Beaumont tax office employees have tested negative,
The tax office is where most residents interact with county government to renew vehicle registrations, receive new license plates, register to vote or pay property taxes.
Getz said most business can be transacted online. The internet address is jeffcotax.com.
Dan Wallach is a freelance writer.