COLUMBIANA COUNTY, Ohio - The Columbiana County Health District says hospitals in the area are ready for a surge in coronavirus cases.

According to a release from the district, area hospitals have been working together for weeks to prepare for the upcoming surge.

They say plans have expanded and include a larger health network, North East Central Ohio (NECO) Region 5, and includes Columbiana as well as 12 other counties, 27 hospitals and 10 specialty, step-down hospitals.

The network gives hospitals access to a virtual hub to share resource availability. This allows hospitals to direct patients to a place for necessary care.

Doctor John P. Crow, Associate Chief Medical Officer at Akron Children's Hospital adds that "All of the health care centers across entire NECO region are working together. The larger centers are particularly important as a "next" level for patients that exceed the capabilities of the small/medium hospitals."

Dr. Nickell, Chief Medical Officer at East Liverpool City Hospital states "East Liverpool City Hospital (ELCH) has proactively planned for a surge of COVID-19 patients. The plan entailed proactively securing additional ventilators and medical supplies for critical patients; more than we generally keep/need at ELCH. We are confident that we are prepared for a surge within the East Liverpool community and have ample supplies for issues and illnesses related to COVID-19 should our community members need medical treatment."

Dr. Anita Hackstedde, President/CEO at Salem Regional, says that SRMC has 10 ICU beds and has added 10 more beds in the Surgical Pre-Care unit along with 16 in the Endoscopy unit.