Orlando Health Counters Misinformation Circulating on Social Media

Jul 04, 2020 at 09:59 am by pj


 

Claims are circulating on social media that Orlando Health is at or near capacity, presumably due to the surge of COVID-19.

According to Kena Lewis, director of public affairs and media relations, “In mid-March, as patient volumes declined and fewer beds were needed, Orlando Health began consolidating units to reduce the number of beds – including ICU beds – that were staffed and in operation. The current operational bed count is what we report to AHCA and what appears on their website. That number is NOT Orlando Health’s total bed capacity. 

"Across all of our operations, we have nearly 3,300 beds. Nearly 200 of those are ICU beds and we have the capacity to surge up to 500 ICU beds if it becomes necessary. We are carefully monitoring the increases in patient volumes. If the need for additional beds grows, Orlando Health will re-open units and make other necessary adjustments in order to meet the needs of the community.”