RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Gov. Ralph Northam extended the commonwealth’s ban on elective surgeries Thursday, days after the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association sent a letter to the governor urging him not to.
Northam directed Virginia hospitals on March 25 to postpone all elective surgeries, an order that was set to expire Friday. The ban has been extended one week, until May 1.
“My top priority is protecting public health, and that includes ensuring that our frontline medical staff have the equipment they need to stay safe as they treat Virginians who are sick,” Northam said in a statement.
Along with the letter, VHHA also shared its plan with Northam on how the state could resume non-emergency procedures. The association defended its plea in a release sent out Friday, arguing that the order has already “accomplished its purpose” of not taking up hospital resources during the coronavirus pandemic.
“The order has accomplished its purpose of preserving personal protective equipment and freeing up additional bed space in preparation for the COVID-19 response so there is no need to extend it beyond tomorrow. Any extension would prevent patients with chronic conditions, and those with immediate medical needs, from receiving timely surgical care, which could have negative implications for their health,” VHHA’s release stated. “At this point, it is estimated that 15,000 inpatient and outpatient medical procedures are being deferred each week in Virginia as a result of the existing order. In addition to impacting patients, any potential continuation of the order also impacts health care providers and employees who have been furloughed during the pandemic.”
The governor addressed the effort to resume these procedures in his statement.
“We have increased our supply of PPE, but before we allow elective surgeries to resume, we must first be assured that the doctors, nurses, and medical staff who are fighting this virus or conducting emergency surgeries have the necessary supplies. We are working with medical facilities on plans to ensure that we can resume elective surgeries safely and responsibly,” the governor’s statement continued.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
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