The masks are gone. Most of the social distancing floor stickers are, too.
But make no mistake, COVID-19 hasn't gone anywhere. Public health officials now consider it endemic rather than a pandemic, but, on the eve of the three-year anniversary of the first diagnosed COVID case at St. Tammany Health System – which, for the record, is March 13 – it's still making people sick.
To make it clear that they haven't forgotten, health system leaders visited frontline caregivers on the COVID unit at its flagship St. Tammany Parish Hospital on Monday (Feb. 20, 2023) while everyone else in the region was celebrating Lundi Gras.
Coincidentally, the hospital’s COVID inpatient count on that day was 31, the highest it’s been since Sept. 9, 2022.
In addition to bringing along treats -- doughnuts for the morning crew, pizza for the nightsiders – they also brought words of gratitude for the team’s continued display of dedication.
"They see COVID day in and day out," STHS Chief Nursing Officer Kerry Milton said. "They wear masks to protect themselves and others. While the rest of the world seems to have moved on, this team continues to take great care for those who need it at all stages of the disease.
“This visit was a thank-you for their steadfast care and their commitment to our community, and to remind them that we are all aware of how hard they continue to work.”