Easter was a particularly joyous day at St. Tammany Health System this year. On Sunday morning (April 4), for the first time in 13 months, the health system had zero patients in COVID care at its Covington hospital.
By Monday a new patient was admitted, bringing the hospital’s current total to one COVID-positive inpatient, but that’s a far cry from the height of the pandemic in January, which at one point saw STHS treating 66 COVID inpatients – fully a third of the hospital’s inpatient count at the time.
STHS President and CEO Joan Coffman credits this milestone to local residents and STHS colleagues all doing their part.
“From residents taking personal responsibility to our colleagues ceaselessly putting themselves on the front lines of this healthcare challenge, we are grateful to everyone for their commitment, sacrifice and dedication,” Coffman said. “Getting vaccinated, wearing a mask and isolating when we’re ill are truly making a difference.”
St. Tammany Health System continues to administer COVID vaccines to Louisiana residents at its Express Care clinic on Highway 21 just south of the hospital and at the Cordes Outpatient Pavilion on Bootlegger Road. An appointment is needed to receive a vaccine and should be made via the free MyChart app.
Those experiencing difficulty with the app can make an appointment by calling (985) 898-4001, which is answered 24/7, although anticipated heavy call volumes may result in a longer-than-usual wait during peak hours.
This week, local residents can also take advantage of “pop-up” vaccination opportunities at 1520 Hwy 22W in Madisonville on Saturday (April 10) and 4410 Hwy 22 in Mandeville on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (April 6-8).