Essentia Health President: “Routine Care Essential, Safe Amid COVID-19 Pandemic”
Dr. Jon Pryor, President of Essentia Health in Duluth, Says Routine Care Appointments Shouldn t Be Put on the Back Burner
February 24, 2021
DULUTH, Minn. – Many Northlanders are left wondering what comes next in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
As concerns remain high, local hospital officials want to remind residents it’s safe, and important to continue scheduling routine medical exams and screening procedures.
Dr. Jon Pryor, President of Essenita Health in Duluth, says his facility is seeing a 33 percent decrease in the number of people coming in for colonoscopies.
“People are still afraid to come in even though it’s very safe. We are taking all of the preventative measures, many of our staff members have been vaccinated and continue to wear masks,” said Pryor.
Fox21Online
January 14, 2021
DULUTH, Minn.– As vaccinations continue across Minnesota, in St. Louis county 8,377 people have received the shot. While that’s just four percent of the county’s population, those in the health sector are preparing for the next steps.
The county is still in phase one of vaccine distribution but Essentia Health has laid out its plans for the next round of vaccinations that include members of the general public.
The group next in line includes people age 65 or older. It also adds those with chronic illnesses like heart or lung conditions.
This comes as federal and state officials have given the go-ahead for vaccine distributers to administer them to people in those groups if there are more vaccines than needed to complete phase 1-A. The hospital has already vaccinated more than 4,000 people and 1,800 of those have received the necessary second dose.
Fox21Online
December 22, 2020
DULUTH, Minn.– Vaccinations continue here in Duluth after both St. Luke’s and Essentia Health started vaccinating their staff last week.
Management at Essentia say they have given out shots of the vaccine to almost 900 of their employees. And at St. Luke’s they have over 900 doses at their facility as both hospitals are expecting the Modera vaccine sometime this week. While they wish they were able to get their hands on more doses, they are trying to make the most of the ones they have.
“What a scene, all of the hooting and hollering made it reminiscent of a UMD hockey game. Folks clapped and they cried. Even behind masks, you could see the emotion on their faces and in their eyes,” said Essentia Health President Dr. Jon Pryor.