Testing times
Back-up force ready to fill the gaps in hospitals
More Covid-19 tests are now being carried out in the region.
Our photo shows tests being carried out outside Alicante general hospital on Wednesday. Those undergoing the test don't even have to leave their vehicles.
The increase in testing could see the number of cases rise significantly, but will save lives in the long run and protect exposed health staff.
A TOTAL of 2,173 non-active healthcare professionals have offered their services in the Valencia region as doctors and nurses succumb to the coronavirus.
Councillor for health Ana Barceló noted yesterday (Thursday) that 1,048 healthcare professionals have now caught the disease as they attend to patients in hospitals around the region.
She explained that 341 of the infections have occurred in Alicante province, 372 in Valencia province and 113 in Castellón.
Sra Barceló said the volunteers have signed up to a ‘job bank’, from which their services can be solicited.
She explained that 95 of the volunteers are retired medics under the age of 70; 52 are retired nurses under the age of 70; 907 of them graduated in medicine without taking a speciality; and 1,046 are nursing graduates who were not currently working in the health service.
Sra Barceló noted that the surge of volunteers to plug the gaps in hospitals ‘shows the solidarity’ that these people have with society.
Hospital updates
Extra medical workers have been taken on by the company that manages Torrevieja hospital and Vinalopó hospital in Elche for the regional government, Ribera Salud.
During the last few weeks Torrevieja hospital has been reinforced with 97 professionals and Vinalopó hospital with 35.
All the mayors in the Torrevieja hospital catchment area held a video conference on
Wednesday with hospital management to be briefed about the current situation.
Rojales mayor Antonio Pérez stated that they were told there had been a slight increase in the volume of patients but ‘a relative stability in the number of cases’.
There are six health workers infected with Covid-19, but there is enough personal protective equipment to cover all of those on duty, the hospital management assured. Although the number of people admitted to the hospital is high, there are still beds available in the intensive care unit.
The hospital pharmacy will deliver enough medication for two months to the homes of those patients who need it so that they do not have to make journeys, noted Sr Pérez.
Most of the coronavirus patients in the Marina Alta are medical workers, all bar one of whom are based at Dénia hospital, according to the regional health authority.
Just two weeks ago, the total number of cases in the district was still being reported as six, with two deaths.
But now, 54 staff members at Dénia hospital have tested positive, and one other at the La Pedrera long-stay hospital.
In total, 61 workers at the main district hospital are now in quarantine after showing symptoms, even though as yet, around seven of these have not been tested, only isolated.
Another seven, including the one confirmed case, have been isolated at La Pedrera.
The Marina Alta district hospital noted that there are still beds available.