A health board has warned that the situation in its hospitals is “extremely serious”, with the highest number of coronavirus patients in intensive care units since the first wave of the pandemic.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said the number of Covid-19 patients requiring hospital treatment had “risen substantially in the past few weeks”, with figures in recent days reaching their highest in months.
The health board covers the areas of Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf, which have some of the highest rates of coronavirus in Wales.
Bridgend’s rolling seven-day rate from December 18 to 24 was 949.3 cases per 100,000 people, while this figure was 895.1 for Merthyr Tydfil and 661.1 in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Hospitals running out of oxygen and could house Covid patients in tents, medics warn
Patient admissions expected to rise further after UK sees record number of coronavirus cases for second day running
NHS hospitals are running out of oxygen, medics claimed on Tuesday as they began planning to set up makeshift tents to try and cope with an influx of coronavirus patients.
Areas hit hardest by the second wave of the virus began cancelling cancer treatments as well as elective surgery amid fears that seriously ill patients were again avoiding Accident and Emergency departments.
Patients were having to be moved more than 65 miles to the nearest hospital with intensive care capacity, medics warned.
139 new coronavirus cases in Newport, as 33 more people die across Wales
The infection rate across Newport has lowered since Monday but still stands above the average for Wales
13:51, 29 DEC 2020
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Welsh hospitals are being overwhelmed with the number of patients presenting with COVID-19 infections – with residents now asked only to turn up if necessary.
The Cardiff and Vale University Health Board – who runs the largest hospital in Cardiff – last night issued a plea via Twitter for assistance from medical staff in the area.
In the tweet, UHB authorities asked any medical students or workers from other staff groups with experience in proning patients come forward to assist.
Proning is the practice of turning COVID-19 patients on their fronts to try and clear their lungs.
Since the call for help went out, UHB officials have announced while the hospital remains busy, they are in a much better position due to the overwhelming response from workers.
Hospitals have been told to free up every possible bed for growing numbers of Covid patients as it emerged that Boxing Day was one of the London Ambulance Service’s busiest ever days.
NHS England has warned that the entire health service will have to stay on its highest state of alert until at least the end of March due to an ongoing influx of patients.
In a letter to local NHS bosses on Wednesday, the service’s chief operating officer Amanda Pritchard urged hospitals to mobilise their ‘surge capacity’ as they face soaring infections, staff sickness and longer patient stays.