Warning hospitals at risk of being overwhelmed...
CREW MEMBER IN PLEA TO EVERYONE TO FOLLOW RULES
AROUND 2,000 new coronavirus cases a week are now being identified in Leicester, leaving our hospitals at risk of being overwhelmed.
The city’s director of public health Professor Ivan Browne set out the stark situation as infection rates in Leicester hit their highest levels since the start of the pandemic.
Prof Browne said the city is now grappling with the highly transmissible variant of coronavirus that started in the south-east of England.
He said: “This week we saw our highest levels of infection since the start of the pandemic.
“Currently some 2,000 new cases are being identified in Leicester each week, with our seven-day infection rate per 100,000 people five times higher than the levels we saw over the summer.
“The current lockdown will, we hope, help slow transmission rates – but over the next two weeks, Leicester’s hospitals risk being overwhelmed as these rapidly rising levels lead to more people requiring hospital care.
“That means there’s a very real risk that there won’t be beds, and places in intensive care units, for all the people who need them – whether it’s because of serious illness caused by coronavirus, or for all the other reasons we depend on the skills and expertise of the NHS.”
Professor Browne added: “So many people have sacrificed so much over the past 10 months, and have complied with the restrictions and health protection guidance to protect themselves and others, but for those who have not, I would say this: people are really sick at home, or lying in intensive care beds in Leicester’s hospitals, because someone gave them coronavirus and, inevitably, people will die, because someone gave them coronavirus.
“These are people of all ages and of all ethnic backgrounds.
“Not all the patients in hospital with coronavirus are over 60 or have a pre-existing condition – we’re now seeing increasing numbers of working-aged people in our hospitals.
“Please don’t think that this virus won’t affect you or your family. “
Latest Department of Health and Social Care figures show there are 324 Covid-19 patients being treated in Leicester hospitals, 31 of whom are on a ventilator.
The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, which runs
Leicester Royal Infirmary and Glenfield and General hospitals, tweeted: “People have asked how we are...
“We are a hospital in the middle of a pandemic. We are trying to get as many sick people back to their families as we can. We shed tears when we can’t. We are tired. We are vaccinating. We are hopeful. We are here for you. Stay safe, stay home.”
Prof Browne echoed that message by urging people to stay at home unless it is absolutely essential, to cover faces whenever required and keep at least two metres apart from other people while washing your hands thoroughly and frequently throughout the day.
He said: “In this new phase of the pandemic, assume you could be a carrier. At the first sign of symptoms, book a test – and stay at home until you’ve had your result.
“If you test positive, you must stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days – even if you don’t feel unwell. And don’t forget that everyone you live with must stay at home for 10 days too.
“Remember too that it’s possible to have the virus, and pass on the virus, without having any of the symptoms.
“If you’re contacted by the test and trace service and told that you’ve been in contact with someone who’s tested positive for the virus, you must self-isolate for 10 days.
“By isolating the virus, and giving it nowhere to go, we can stop it in its tracks.
“There is, finally, light at the end of this long tunnel as the vaccination programme accelerates – but for now, and for the coming weeks, we all have to be extra cautious.
“Please do not under-estimate how dangerous this virus is. Look after yourself, and the people around you. Follow the rules, resist the temptation to meet up with friends or family you don’t live with, and we will get through this.”