As Santa Barbara County and the state experience a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations this winter, leaders at local hospitals are gaining a clearer understanding of the virus and what contributes to severity of the disease as they prepare for the arrival of vaccines.Â
At Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, which maintains substantial ICU capacity and personal protective equipment for the time being, staff expect to receive approximately 1,900 doses from Pfizer to begin vaccinating the first round of Marian s 3,200 health care workers next week.Â
To discuss the vaccine process, ICU capacity and what doctors are learning about local COVID-19 patients, the Santa Maria Times spoke with top medical officials from Marian Regional, who also work for neighboring Dignity Health sites French Hospital Medical Center and Arroyo Grande Community Hospital.Â