A ray of hope in pivotal time for Covid-19 battle
FIRST VACCINES ARRIVE AS CASES SPIRAL UPWARDS
THE arrival of the first Covid-19 vaccines to Co Wexford last week provided a shot in the arm at what is a pivotal time in the battle against the virus.
In the past week, the county has seen case numbers spiral, recording over 1,700 new cases in a seven day period and seeing the number of people hospitalised at Wexford General with the virus rise to a massive 35, with six people in critical care – the worst numbers since the pandemic hit us in March.
With the hospital under such major pressure, it was a welcome source of positivity when the process of administering Covid-19 vaccines began at the hospital on Thursday evening as staff sought to protect themselves for the continued battle ahead.
Having seen the chaos Covid can impart in these settings, it was also a welcome sight to see the roll-out of vaccines begin at our nursing homes yesterday (Monday) with Kerlogue Nursing Home being the first.
While the vaccines provided a welcome note of positivity, a lot of work still needs to be done in the Model County to bring case numbers under control and take the pressure off our hospital.
IN A week that saw record numbers of new Covid cases in Co Wexford, there was light at the end of the tunnel last week as the staff of Wexford General Hospital as they became the first people in the county to receive the long awaited Covid-19 vaccination.
The year 2020 was an unforgettable one for everyone associated with Wexford General Hospital as frontline workers put in a huge effort to help those who had fallen ill with the virus, along with containing its spread. Since the first confirmed case at the hospital back on March 16, there’s been a series of peaks and troughs to negotiate.
Staff members have contracted the virus; they’ve dealt with outbreaks on the wards; there’s been quiet periods in between where the hospital is completely Covid free and on right up to where we stand now – the busiest Wexford General has been since the pandemic began, with 35 Covid patients recorded at 8pm on Sunday evening and six people seriously ill in ICU.
Despite the significant pressure staff are currently under, spirits were high last week as the first batch of the Covid-19 vaccine finally arrived and members of staff lined up to have their first of two doses administered. First in line to receive their jab were Dr Raj Cheyln, ICU nurse Edel Rochford, Jessica Byrne a member of the housekeeping staff and clerical officer Roisín Ffrench.
‘ This is a significant milestone for the hospital,’ said Manager Linda O’Leary, taking a minute to breath during an incredibly busy period. ‘Hopefully with the support of the public, we can roll this vaccine out as soon as possible and we can return to some sort of normality.’
All staff members were given all of the relevant information before receiving their vaccine and afterwards, each person received a vaccine record card showing the name and batch of the vaccine they received. Each staff member will return for their second dose to be fully protected in three weeks.
Hospital porter Phil Skelton was among those to receive his vaccination on Thursday and it came as a major relief.
‘It is a huge relief,’ he said. ‘We’ve been living with this for nine months. There’s nearly a feeling of general relief in the hospital at the moment and after a tough few months it’s great to see some positivity and a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.’
While some have publicly voiced concerns over the vaccine, Phil says he didn’t hesitate when it was offered to him.
‘I had done my own bit of research on it,’ he said. ‘ There was nothing I saw to concern me, so I was happy to take it. I suppose when you’re working here every day, you see the other side of it and what Covid does to people. You realise that you’re taking this to keep a dreadful illness at bay.’
In Phil’s household, there are four of them in line to get the vaccine. His daughter Ciara works in radiography in
Dublin and has already been vaccinated, while his wife Anne and daughter Shauna work in the lab at Wexford General and await their initial jab.
‘With four of us frontline workers, it does heighten your concern,’ Phil said. ‘Our awareness of this thing is heightened. That’s why it’s a relief to get vaccinated. The shot itself doesn’t hurt either and the day after it feels like you’ve got a punch in the shoulder, that’s it.’
While the vaccine does come as a relief, Phil realises that it’s far from the end, as last week was the busiest week the hospital has seen Covid wise since the pandemic began.
‘Whilst I’m delighted and relieved with the vaccine roll-out, there is a worrying increase in the numbers in our community and it’s no surprise to see that reflected here in the hospital,’ he said. ‘I would ask your readers to please heed official government and HSE advice and help us in the hospital not to become overwhelmed by this wave.
‘Hopefully soon we will see the effects of this vaccine and the latest government restrictions and can return to some degree of normality.’
It’s understood that the vast majority of staff at Wexford General have now been vaccinated against Covid-19 and they will receive their second jab in three weeks time to ensure that they are fully protected against the virus as they continue their battle against the virus.