AdventHealth in Central Florida returns to "red status"

AdventHealth facilities in Central Florida will be transitioning from "black status" to "red status," starting Wednesday, Sept.1, AdventHealth officials announced in a press release.

“While AdventHealth is still treating a significant number of COVID-19 patients, admissions continue to slow, leading to an improved outlook,” the release read.

The appearance in improvements will allow additional deferred surgical procedures to move forward under red status. 

In recent weeks, the facility has been operating under black status, when hospital officials defer non-emergency surgeries at hospitals, due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. 

Under red status, AdventHealth will allow new surgical procedures to be reduced to maximize efficiency, outpatient surgery sites and pediatric surgeries to continue as normal, the deferral of non-time-sensitive elective surgeries, and more. 

Officials in the press release said those impacted by the status change will be contacted by their doctor to schedule their procedure. However, although things are improving, it’s too soon for people to let their guard down when it comes to the virus.

“While we are experiencing a downward trend, hospital capacity continues to be at extremely high levels. Our hospitals are designed in such a way that spaces are flexible and expandable. AdventHealth has an extensive health care system in place in Central Florida so we can locate patients to the facility that best matches the level of care they need,” officials wrote in the release.

For more information and updates, visit the AdventHealth of Central Florida website.