Hospital visits suspended after Covid patients rise
Visits to patients have been suspended as hospitals in Sunderland and South Tyneside manage a substantial rise in the number of people ill with Covid-19.
As ‘Freedom Day’ on Monday, July 19, inches closer and will see restrictions eased once more, the number of coronavirus cases across the North East is continuing to rise, with South Tyneside seeing the highest case numbers across England.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust is now treating 80 patients compared to just two a month ago, with many seriously ill and receiving intensive care support.
As of yesterday, it will no longer allow visitors into its adultinpatientwardsatSouth Tyneside District Hospital, Sunderland Royal Hospital and Intermediate Care Assessment and Rehabilitation (ICAR)unitbasedatHoughton Primary Care Centre to protect staff and patients at what it says is a critical time.
The surge in cases coincides with large numbers of staff having to self-isolate and “relentless pressure” on its emergency departments, which are seeing more than 600 attendances a day as well aspressuresonGPandprimary care services.
Whiletheuseoffacemasks will not be advised by the Government from Monday, the Trust has said people should still stick to the ‘Hands, Face, Space’ advice.
On Tuesday, South Tyneside reported 294 new cases, while the borough’s weekly rate recorded 2,052 new cases in the seven days to July8,theequivalentof1,359.2 per 100,000 people.
This was up sharply from 691.5 in the seven days to July 1, making it the highest rate recorded in England since January 10, when Knowsley in Merseyside recorded a rate of 1,367.5.
InSunderland,thenumber ofnewcasesreportedstoodat 410,whiletheweeklycaserate was 893.4 per 100,000 people, with2,481newcasesreported in the seven days up to July 8.
Dr Shaz Wahid, Medical Director at the trust, said:
“Our services both in hospital and in the community are beingstretchedlikeneverbefore as we strive to keep the recovery of services on track whilst
managing this increasing demand.
"It certainly feels like we areenteringthemostdifficult period for NHS staff, after the
long slog of the past year, we are now gearing up again for another wave of pressure.”
DrTraceyLucas,aSunderland GP, added: "Staff right
acrosstheNHSaredoingtheir very best to make sure everyonecangetthecaretheyneed.
“Just like our hospital colleagues, GPs across the regionarealsoseeingsignificant pressure after radically redesigning services during the pandemicandsupportingthe ongoing vaccine rollout.
"You can really help us by using some of the newer ways of getting advice from your local pharmacy or by using selfcare for minor problems.
“This is an increasingly tough time for everyone and we appreciate how difficult it can feel for the public.
"Aboveall,pleasebekindto our staff and each other – we are doing our very best to look after you.”
The trust said people should wear a facemask when enteringhospitals,GPpracticesandhealthcaresettingsand attendallappointmentsalone where possible.