“An increase in hospitalizations and deaths is expected in the coming weeks,” says Marta Temido – Executive Digest

With the week of October 12-18 as a reference, the maximums in the age group over 85 years were exceeded and given the fragility of the age group, with “an increase in hospitalizations and deaths in the coming weeks,” he said. the Minister of Health, this Monday, at a press conference.

Given the growing trend of Covid-19 patients admitted to nursing and intensive care, the ministry projects that on Wednesday, October 28, the maximum number of intensive care patients will be exceeded in the first wave (271 to date).

On November 4, according to estimates, 2,634 patients and 444 patients in intensive care are expected to enter the wards, “this in the mathematical model if the measures introduced are not effective,” said the minister.

The projection was made based on estimates and calculations by the Ricardo Jorge Institute, in collaboration with the DGS and the Higher Technical Institute.

Marta Temido also stated that the National Health Service (SNS) was reinforced with 1,445 million euros and is, at this moment, “better prepared in technique, human and knowledge.”

Regarding the hospitalization capacity installed in beds for Covid-19, the official explained that there are 17,741 beds (except OPI and psychiatric hospitals) and a total of 19,778 beds, admitting that this installed capacity affects other treatments, that is, the “balance”. between the response to Covid and not to Covid ”.

Intensive care and medical-surgical beds are preferred for treating infected patients. In a peak situation, the number of beds can reach 18,077.

The minister also left the guarantee that the management of beds in each ARS is “dynamic and flexible” and may vary depending on the need for isolation of nurses or expansion works in specific hospital centers.

Admitting that the current situation of the pandemic is complex ”and“ serious ”, Marta Temido stressed that no SNS has elastic capacity, which is why she guaranteed that the system“ is prepared to refer users who have no response in the SNS to the sector. private. And social “.