‘Protect each other’: Weekly check-in with UMC’s Dr. Joel Hendryx

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- In an effort to deliver the most comprehensive coronavirus coverage, ABC-7 has started a weekly feature where we ask Dr. Jose Burgos, the director of internal medicine at University Medical Center, the same seven questions each week to track how the pandemic is changing. Dr. Burgos was unavailable this week, so we spoke to UMC's chief medical officer, Dr. Joel Hendryx.

Here's the Q&A for Thursday, June 25:

Mauricio Casillas (KVIA): How has this past week gone for you?

Dr. Joel Hendryx (Chief Medical Officer, UMC): "We're busy with many different types of cases. Our hospitalized Covid-19 cases have gone up. This is after a decrease from last week."

Casillas: Can hospitals handle the current number of patients?

Hendryx: "Yes, we have the capacity for all types of patients. We have daily meetings looking at our resources, trying to understand what's needed for any increase in hospitalizations in the future."

Casillas: What should people at home be doing right now?

Hendryx: "Summer is here. Enjoy the outdoors. But, please do it within the guidelines of distance and mask utilization. Protect each other."

Casillas: What is the most eye-opening thing you’ve seen this week?

Hendryx: "Unfortunately, the spike in the number of Covid positive cases and hospitalizations in Texas. This is reflected in El Paso's numbers. El Paso tends to be 1-2 weeks behind the rest of Texas."

Casillas: What is your prediction for next week?

Hendryx: "Forecasts suggests that we're going to have more Covid-19 cases. With the opening of the economy, there's greater opportunity for viral spread with an increase in hospitalizations."

Casillas: What is giving you hope at this time?

Hendryx: "It's easy to point out exceptions. By far, the majority of El Pasoans are model citizens for wearing face coverings and practicing personal space."

Casillas: What is your message to the Borderland?

Hendryx: "We need to be vigilant in helping each other adapt to the new normal. Change can be difficult to accept. I leave you with this question -- can we help each other adapt to this change in our normal routines?"

Statistics for June 25:

• 4,984 total cases, 1394 active cases, 125 deaths in El Paso County

Here's a list of earlier segments:

• April 9 Q&A: (225 cases , 1 death in El Paso County)
• April 16 Q&A: (451 cases, 7 deaths in El Paso County)
• April 23 Q&A: (675 total cases, 543 active cases, 10 deaths)
• April 30 Q&A: (924 total cases, 506 active cases, 21 deaths)
• May 7 Q&A: (1,190 total cases, 541 active cases, 30 deaths)
• May 14 Q&A: (1,607 total cases, 771 active cases, 43 deaths)
• May 21 Q&A: (2,046 total cases, 883 active cases, 57 deaths)
• May 28 Q&A: (2,569 total cases, 1,032 active cases, 72 deaths)
• June 4 Q&A: (3,069 total cases, 1,059 active cases, 89 deaths)
• June 11 Q&A: (3,650 total cases, 1,015 active cases, 97 deaths)
• June 18 Q&A: (4,088 total cases, 946 active cases, 119 deaths)