On the coronavirus: tension in Klaipeda: “This period is the most difficult”

According to the hospital, the vast majority of COVID-19 patients in the hospital are unvaccinated and have a delta strain. Vaccinated patients represent less than 20%. and they usually have comorbidities or have been vaccinated with a single dose, or become infected shortly after the second vaccination, before immunity develops.

Vaccinated people, according to a hospital website, experience very mild symptoms of coronavirus.

The majority of patients admitted here, unlike previous pandemic waves, are of all ages.

“The patients are getting younger and younger. Although the average age is between 60 and 80 years, there are more and more people under 40 years of age. In the last month, the number of patients remains from 100 to 137. Although we are prescribing a large number of patients, in an instant the sections are refilled. We found that the conditions of the patients were milder during the so-called previous waves, they were treated in the hospital for a shorter time. And today, those who remain in the hospital need more and more lung ventilation, and after recovering from COVID-19, they also need more treatment, ”says Jolanta Česienė, Head of the Infectious Diseases Department of the hospital.

According to the chief physician of the Klaipeda University Hospital, prof. skilled. Dr. Vins Janušonis, the situation is very tense.

“The incidence of COVID-19 is worrying. The Klaipėda University Hospital, which examines samples, identifies more positive cases than ever: in recent days, their number has reached 25-30%. of all samples analyzed, growth and mortality.

The hospital has a total of 120 beds for COVID-19 patients. The number of beds is constantly increasing. Currently, the hospital treats a total of 121 COVID-19 patients and 22 patients in the intensive care unit. The hospital is filling up fast. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have been working in a focused, team and vigilant manner. Knowledge and experience are now the most powerful weapon in the fight against the ever-changing virus. However, the biggest problem at the moment is a lack of staff. For one reason or another, about 200 doctors have not worked lately ”, quotes the head of the institution in the hospital report.

I have been working with coronavirus patients since the beginning of the pandemic, but this is the most difficult period.

80 percent. suffer from comorbidities

Almost all hospitalized patients suffer from the delta strain, which has faster spreading properties.

According to Jūratė Šaknienė, a doctor at the Department of Infectious Diseases, the coronavirus is especially dangerous for patients with chronic diseases, which affect approximately 80% of patients. Patients treated with COVID-19. Most of the people admitted to the hospital mainly complain of cardiovascular, oncological, kidney diseases, diabetes. According to doctors, the coronavirus, in the presence of concomitant chronic diseases, significantly prolongs the duration of the disease and complicates treatment and its course.

According to Silvija Vytienė, Senior Nurse Administrator for the Department of Infectious Diseases, this fall’s pandemic is a big test for nurses.

“I have been working with coronavirus patients since the beginning of the pandemic, but this period is the most difficult. Compared to previous pandemic waves, the patients’ conditions were milder. Most walked on their own. And these days, patients need multi-profile care and more are on hemodialysis. COVID-19 wards treat not only patients with a therapeutic profile, but also surgical, neurosurgical, as well as patients with other pathologies.

For nurses, every day is a challenge. We do not know which patients will be brought to the ward. By concentrating and concentrating on our strengths, we provide them with a wide range of care: starting with nutrition, personal hygiene, observation and ending with wound care, ”said the nurse.

The number of sick mothers is increasing

There has been an increase in COVID-19 in pregnant women and mothers. By October, 54 women with coronavirus had given birth at the hospital.

The last two mothers had marked coronavirus symptoms and required prolonged hospitalization and intensive care.

“It just came to our knowledge then. Midwives are infected through family members (usually the child). Is it possible to vaccinate pregnant women? This is possible and necessary. Data on several hundred thousand are already available. of vaccinated carriers. The conclusions are as follows: it has not been established that there are more premature births or premature miscarriages after the vaccine, no health disorders have been identified in the pregnant woman or newborn ”, – the head of the Clinic KUL Obstetrics Professor Dr. Linas Rovas.

Now we no longer know what to expect and who to prepare for, we just stay tuned.

Ask for vaccines

“During the first wave, we expected the pandemic to end soon. We enthusiastically joined the fight. The hope later was a vaccine. It is unfortunate that people do not realize that the only way out of a pandemic is through Vaccination It is unvaccinated patients who represent the majority of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Almost everyone who comes face to face with the threatening coronavirus regrets not having been vaccinated. Upon discharge from the hospital, we encourage people to get vaccinated. We are observing the increasing number of people in the hospital. Now we no longer know what to expect and who to prepare for, we just stay tuned. We argue that the so-called waves last about two months. However, it is still difficult to assess, because if there is no more active vaccination of people, the situation will only get worse, ”say KUL doctors.

Services are provided

It should be noted that KUL points out that in case of an emergency situation, it fights throughout the country, all health services are restricted. There are partially restricted services in all hospitals, in all institutions.

All health care services are provided at the Klaipeda University Hospital. Only at present are neurological services somewhat restricted and elective surgeries somewhat limited. This means that patients are scheduled for surgery, but the waiting period is slightly longer.