UMass Memorial delays elective procedures further

Photo | Grant Welker UMass Memorial Medical Center's University Campus

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UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester is extending the postponement of elective procedures until April 24, pushing back a step the hospital initially put in place for just one week in March as the coronavirus outbreak first began forcing hospitals to take such action.

UMass Memorial told healthcare providers in a staff-wide memo Friday the postponement will extend for at least another two weeks. It will continue to assess future appointments on a weekly basis, the hospital said.

The medical center, which has two hospital campuses in Worcester, first said it would push back elective procedures starting March 16 for one week to be able to direct patient rooms and care providers to the coronavirus outbreak. At that stage, Massachusetts had fewer than 200 coronavirus cases, Worcester County had six, and no deaths were recorded across the state.

As of Sunday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported 25,475 cases statewide, 2,615 in Worcester County, and 756 deaths statewide.

UMass Memorial's two-week extension of not holding elective procedures comes as hospital leaders otherwise say they so far have been able to accommodate sick coronavirus patients on hospital campuses. The DCU Center in Worcester opened for less-severe cases on April 9 to relieve UMass Memorial, Saint Vincent Hospital and other facilities.'

UMass Memorial leaders said in an online forum Friday they expect roughly 634 inpatient coronavirus cases with an expected peak around April 20. A predicted 149 will need intensive care.