The Wilmington VA Medical Center is preparing for a possible surge in patients as the coronavirus spreads in Delaware.
The medical center has six ICU beds, 16 medical surge beds and nine ventilators. The VA also has facilities in Dover and Georgetown.
Officials say the VA is buying more ventilators and looking to convert other parts of its medical center into space for additional beds.
As with most health systems, the VA is screening anyone who enters one of its facilities for symptoms of COVID-19 and is restricting visitation.
It's also recomending all patients and visitors who do not feel well to postpone their visit to the medical center.
“If you’re not feeling well, stay home, call us, we’ll call you back and together we’ll work on a plant to keep you healthy and get you the necessary support to keep you safe while we battle this pandemic together,” said Wilmington VA Medical Center Director Vince Kane.
Kane says the VA is also working to protect its elderly veterans and other populations more vulnerable to the virus by offering telehealth options and other online services.
“We’ve offered virtual health appointments so they can be in touch with their primary care team or a specialist that they may be engaged with so they can receive care without ever leaving their home,” he said.
As of Thursday, the Wilmington VA has tested five patients for COVID-19 and the samples were submitted to the VA Palo Alto Health System for results.
Kane says the VA is following CDC guidelines and only testing patients who are actively symptomatic.
In a statement earlier this week, Sen. Tom Carper said he is "pleased that our VA is taking smart steps to reduce risks and increase safety at their facilities in Delaware and around the nation."
Kane says the VA is coordinating with other Delaware hospitals to slow the spread of the virus statewide.