People have been warned to only visit Cornwall s A&E department for life threatening and emergency conditions after the Duchy s main hospital was put on black alert. The Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske in Truro has been raised to OPEL 4 (referring to operational pressures escalation levels ) which is the highest level of alert. It is commonly referred to as black alert , given in the most extreme pressure situations. It classed by NHS England as when a hospital is “unable to deliver comprehensive care” and usually means bed space has been filled. Cornwall Council has asked people to stay away unless in the most serious circumstances.
No Covid patients at three of Devonâs four hospitals, NHS figures reveal
And across Devon and Cornwall, there are no patients in mechanical ventilation beds
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Three of Devonâs four hospitals are free of Covid-19 patients, latest figures from the NHS reveal â with no patients across Devon and Cornwall on ventilators.
There have been no patients in hospital in North Devon following a positive Covid-19 test for more than three weeks â while it is two weeks since there was anyone in Torbay Hospital.
Derriford Hospital in Plymouth is also free of Covid-19 patients, and has been since April 23, which was the first time since September 19 that the hospital has had no patients.
Climbing the PPE plastic mountain
By Natalie Healey 15 Apr 2021 (Last Updated April 12th, 2021 17:34)
The Covid-19 pandemic has created a huge amount of plastic waste in hospitals – largely a result of the additional PPE required to curb the spread of the virus. But what can be done to reduce the environmental impact of this plastic waste? Natalie Healey finds out.
Although PPE is vital, particularly in pandemic situations, the extra plastic required for Covid-19 is a concern. Credit: Shutterstock
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Even when you’re alone and outdoors, evidence of the Covid-19 pandemic can be found in hedgerows, beside gutters and spilling out of public waste bins. Abandoned single-use plastic masks and gloves are an eyesore, as well as a sinister reminder of how our lives have changed beyond recognition in the last year.