Marian Regional Medical Center: Doctors see overall drop in COVID-19 cases

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Doctors with Marian Regional Medical Center are seeing an overall drop in the number of COVID-19 cases throughout the city this month.

"I’m just really excited about getting back to a place of normalcy," said Bob Louth, a north county resident.

While doctors at Marian Regional Medical Center say it’s not completely back to normal, the comparison between the number of COVID-19 cases popping up now versus the start of the pandemic is like day and night.

“We’ve certainly been seeing a decline over the last 4 to6 weeks of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in our community and it’s really a result of everybody doing their part,” said Dr. Scott Robertson with Marian Regional Medical Center.

But doctors say it’s important to note COVID-19 is still in the community.

“Depending upon where we do the specimen collections anywhere from 5 to 15 percent of our patients coming into one of our urgent care centers or our hospitals with upper respiratory symptoms are still testing positive For COVID-19,” said Robertson.

As the pandemic continues doctors encourage everyone to get the care they need including routine checks and screenings.

“If you’re someone that’s been delaying care over the past several months because you’re concerned about cOVID-19 it’s really important that you Connect with your primary care doctor to make sure your cancer screenings are up-to-date,“ said Robertson.

As well as mammograms, colonoscopies and routine lab work.

“You really can only put those off for so long safely and you need to connect with your physicians to make sure you’re back on track with your health care,” said Robertson.

Meanwhile, as doctors continue to see a decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations they’re hoping everyone will continue to do their part to slow the spread.

“People staying socially distant wearing masks public and certainly keeping their hands clean,” said Robertson.

“My hope is that we can get back to normal and and live the lives that we lived before,” said Louth.