Covid cases head towards 1,000 mark
THE DETERIORATING situation nationally with the sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in recent days is reflected in the Sligo numbers.
The latest figures available at the time of going to press yesterday, Wednesday, showed that the total of confirmed cases in the county had risen to 913. That was up 87 on seven days previously, with double digit increases on each of the day and 33 on one day.
A similar rise over the next few days will see the total breach the 1,000 mark.
Also as we went to press the government was holding an unscheduled cabinet meeting to discuss bringing in further restrictions. These were to include the closure of non-essential shops and gyms and a possible restriction of non-es- sential travel to a 5km radius. So far the rise in cases has not brought a significant increase in Covid patients to Sligo Uni- versity Hospital, unlike some hospitals nationally. On Tuesday night the number confirmed Covid patients in the hospital was five, with none of them in intensive care. However, the hospital can do without having to accommo- date more Covid cases as there is already a big demand on beds. Figures yesterday morning from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation Trolley Watch showed that Sligo had the second highest number nationally of admitted patients waiting on a bed.
There were 22 people on trolleys, 13 in the Emergency department and nine on wards. Only University Hospital Lim- erick with 41 had a higher number.
Meanwhile, as the vaccination prgramme for staff in hos- pitals in the Saolta group (of which Sligo in part) began on Tuesday with a nurse in Uni- versity Hospital Galway, the dates that vaccines are due to be rolled out in nursing homes in Sligo have been announced. The first nursing home in the county where residents and staff will receive vaccinations will be Bailey’s Nursing Home in Tubbercurry on January 18. That will be followed by Ballymote Community Nursing Unit, January 19; Mowlam Nursing Home, Sligo, January 20; Nazareth House Nursing Home, Sligo, January 22; Summerville Nursing Home, Strandhill, January 26; St John’s Community Hospital, Sligo, January 27; and Sonas Nursing Home, Ard Na Gréine, Enniscrone, January 29.