By The Leader Staff
Adventist Health welcomed a Department of Defense medical team this past week to help care for COVID-19 patients. Pictured on the right is Brigid Serafin, a nurse with the 80th Medical Group.
Adventist Health welcomed a Department of Defense medical team this past week to help care for COVID-19 patients. Pictured on the right is Brigid Serafin, a nurse with the 80th Medical Group.
Photo Courtesy Adventist Health

As COVID-19 cases surge in Kings, Tulare, and Fresno counties, Adventist Health Hanford this week welcomed additional resources from the Department of Defense.

On July 22, the hospital staff greeted a 20-member Department of Defense clinical team consisting of physicians, intensive care and emergency nurses, clinical nurses, respiratory specialists, intensive care technicians, and liaison officers.

The team is caring for COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit, medical-surgical area, and emergency room.

According to Kings County Department of Public Health officials, there are currently 85 individuals hospitalized at Adventist Health with COVID-19. Of those patients, 52 are from Kings County. There are ten patients in the Intensive Care Unit.

Since the outbreak began, Kings County has reported a total of 4,036 cases, including cases from the state prison system, and local nursing homes 2,449 have recovered. Kings County health officials have reported a  total of 50 deaths.

The Department of Defense clinical team is providing additional support to hospital physicians, nurses, and other teams who continue to go above and beyond in caring for COVID-19 patients.

“Nothing is more important than ensuring the safety of our patients and providing support to our physicians, nurses, and staff,” says Andrea Kofl, Adventist Health’s president, who oversees medical facilities in the Central Valley, including Hanford, Tulare, Selma, and Reedley. “We are extremely grateful for the additional support and appreciate the collaboration from the state and Department of Defense.

“The state of California, the hospital teams and administrators and the communities here have been most supportive and welcoming,” says Maj. Gen. Michael Stone, Commanding General, Task Force 46. “Our Soldiers and Airmen are proud of the role we play in supporting FEMA, California, and the larger effort to fight COVID-19 and support our communities.”

Local officials said the partnership would be evaluated after 30 days to see if there is a need for an extension.