News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville Regional revenue will be down some $15 million by the end of April, according to Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton.
The elimination of elective procedures led to an $11 million decline in net revenue this month alone. CRMC lost $4 million in revenue in March. The number of beds used at Cookeville Regional usually stands in the low 200s on any day. Right now, Shelton said it stands in the 130-range.
Costs have also surged, especially in the personal protective equipment arena. Shelton said the costs of these items has increased some 13 times in recent weeks.
“Masks previously cost 61 cents and are now as much as $7 each,” Shelton said. “Isolation gowns have increased from 36 cents each up to $8.50. Surgical masks have gone from 4 cents each up to a $1.50.”
Cookeville Regional furloughed 400 workers last week to preserve the economic health of the facility.
“It might take several months of normal operations to reinstate some things, such as bringing furloughed employees back to work and reinstating hours for employees who took a reduction in hours,” Shelton said.
