Number of Covid patients rises from zero to 57 in our hospitals

THERE are a total of 57 Covid-19 patients in our hospitals, having dropped to zero a couple of months ago.

In the most recent week of data, Derbyshire saw more than 3,500 reported cases of the virus.

This is down from a peak in July of more than 5,800 weekly cases, but still well in excess of the low of 150 cases a week at the end of April.

Due to vaccination, researched treatment options and a greater understanding of infection control and of the virus itself, the number of coronavirus patients needing hospital treatment is far lower than the January peak of more than 700.

Covid case levels remain high and pressure on local NHS services in Derbyshire continues to stretch staff.

While measures restricting society have been released and legal duties to social distance and wear a mask have been dropped, the risks posed by Covid remain high.

NHS staff are caring for the current patients alongside a mountain of other duties which have gathered during the pandemic, including services which had been paused in the winter.

The vaccination programme is about to enter what has been dubbed Phase Three, with patients aged over 50 and those most at risk set to receive a third “booster” jab.

This represents a step down for the roll-out, with vaccination duties moving to smaller sites with large host venues coming back into use, including Derby Arena, while other jab sites are closing, such as the Winding Wheel in Chesterfield.

As of the latest NHS England data, to August 15, 90.31 per cent of all Derbyshire adults have had a Covid19 jab and 81.79 per cent have had both doses. Health leaders continue to stress the importance of getting a Covid vaccine and then returning for your second dose.

Patient numbers are higher than had been before measures were relaxed, but remain far lower in January, which has been attributed to the critical impact of the vaccination roll-out – meaning many more people avoid hospitalisation.

Royal Derby Hospital staff are currently caring for 34 Covid-19 patients, six of whom are in its intensive care unit.

There are currently 17 Covid-19 patients being treated at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, six of whom are in intensive care.

Queen’s Hospital in Burton currently has six Covid-19 patients, of whom one is in intensive care. This is far lower than its peak of nearly 200 Covid inpatients in late January.

NHS leaders across the region have previously spoken of the burden on hospital services presented by unvaccinated patients who have contracted Covid and fallen seriously ill, leading to extensive stays in intensive care.

Unwell Covid patients had been trending much younger, on average, than in previous waves.

All this comes while staff simultaneously aim to wade through the backlog in patient waiting lists and also gain some respite after a nightmarish 18 months under pandemic pressures.

The waiting lists are set to take several years to reduce back to normal levels pre-Covid.

Those waiting for treatment, thousands of whom have been waiting in excess of a year in our county alone, are suffering with ailments for far longer than would normally be expected – to their physical and mental detriment.