BREAKING: Peterson hits another COVID-19 record with 40 hospitalized

On the final day of August, Peterson Regional Medical Center grappled with its worst day for hospitalizations since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March of 2020. On Tuesday, Peterson said 40 people were hospitalized — accounting for nearly half of the acute care beds in the hospital.

Over the last two weeks, Peterson has wrestled with 30 patients or more with COVID-19. Just how many of those patients are intensive care is unclear. While Peterson is licensed for 124 beds, its acute care total is 88 beds. The balance is rehabilitation and overflow beds. The hospital admitted a minimum of 63 people.

The death toll for August appears to be five deaths at Peterson, seven at hospitals outside of Kerr County. Despite the numbers shared by Peterson and Kerr County, the Texas Department of State Health Services does not appear to have confirmed a death at Peterson in August.

At times this month, the hospital has been at capacity, diverting patients to other hospitals, but there haven’t been hospitals with available beds to take them.

On Tuesday, the hospital reported 28 new cases — none vaccinated. In two days, Peterson reported 91 new cases — none were vaccinated. The true number of active cases in Kerr County remains unclear.