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Despite the general positivity from public health experts and the government regarding the effectiveness of current measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19, hospitals continue to fight a second wave of the virus.
Since the adoption of the Level 5 restrictions on October 21, the incidence rate of 14 days per 100,000 has fallen from 270.8 to 129.1 today, according to the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (ECDC).
Although the number of patients receiving treatment for Covid-19 in Irish hospitals has declined slightly from second wave highs recorded in late October, the HSE warns that outbreaks in some hospitals are a major concern.
Significant outbreaks at Naas General Hospital, Letterkenny University Hospitals and Limerick, including Ennis Hospital, which operates within the UHL group, have caused nearly 300 employees to be absent from work.
Speaking Thursday, HSE CEO Paul Reid said Naas was “back to where he was in April” as elective surgeries and outpatient appointments were canceled for two weeks to relieve pressure.
As of 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 12, there were 42 adult intensive care beds available across the country and the report notes that not all of them may be available as they may be specialty beds.
St. Vincent’s and Cork University Hospital had the highest number of intensive care beds available with four each, followed by UHL, Tallaght, St. James’, Letterkenny and Beaumont with three.
There were no intensive care beds available at Mater, Mercy, South Tipperary, Tullamore, or Wexford hospitals.
Intensive care beds
According to the report, there are currently 284 open and staffed adult intensive care beds across the country, yet 238 of them were occupied as of 6:30 p.m. Thursday, 38 of which were confirmed Covid-19 patients.
Another 24 intensive care beds were said to be reserved for patients.
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In the last 24 hours until 8 a.m. yesterday, there had been one death from the virus. There were also 23 Covid-19 patients on ventilators.
The breakdown of confirmed Covid-19 cases in intensive care units found that UHL had the highest number with five cases, followed by Wexford, Tallaght and Drogheda with four each.
Cork University Hospital and Mater had three cases, while St. Vincent, St. James, Connolly and Mayo Hospitals had two.
With these figures in mind, public health and HSE experts are urging people to comply with current restrictions to reduce the rate of infection and avoid further pressure on our healthcare services.
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