Salinas Valley Health Marks One Year of COVID-19 Operations

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

One year ago today, Salinas Valley Health activated its Hospital Incident Command System known as HICS. Medical center leaders took the emergency action more than a month before Monterey County confirmed its first two cases of COVID-19 on March 17, 2020. The planning and proactive step proved critical to the Healthcare System’s success during the COVID-19 crisis and has resulted in a board resolution honoring staff.

“As the pandemic unfolded in other states, we were preparing for battle,” said Pete Delgado, President/CEO of Salinas Valley Health. “No one predicted how high the death toll would climb or how long this crisis would last and our strategic surge planning paid off for our patients and for our staff. It has been a devastating year on so many levels however we are grateful for all the lives we have been able to save.”

The Salinas Valley Health publicly elected Board of Directors unanimously passed a resolution expressing deep appreciation to all Salinas Valley Health providers and staff for the dedication and extraordinary effort they have shown during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Copies of the formal, framed resolution now hang in patient care units throughout the medical center.

“We know the impact our staff is having on families stricken by the virus,” said Victor Rey, President of the Salinas Valley Health Board of Directors. “They bravely put the needs of others above their own and have shown a tremendous commitment to our community and dedication to their profession in the face of a relentless enemy.”

Monterey County Public Health Department has confirmed nearly 40,500 cases of COVID 19 in the county and has recorded nearly 1200 hospitalizations due to the virus. The death toll due to COVID-19 in Monterey County now stands at 291 residents. Delgado says early surge planning and collaboration with the agricultural community, health department and other partner hospitals keep the devastation from being even worse.

“It’s a team effort and our respect and appreciation for one another has deepened during this time,” said Delgado. “We’re finally seeing that light at the end of the tunnel but we must never forget what we’ve been through together. I want our team to take note of the resolution on display around the hospital to remind them of their heroism and our gratitude for their selfless sacrifice during this unprecedented chapter in history.”