Altnagelvin hospitalisations declining 'very gradually' but COVID-19 transmission is 'too high' amid 'most difficult weeks ever' for Derry health care

The Western Trust Director of Nursing, Community and Older People's services, has implored people to continue to adhere strictly to the public health guidance around social distancing and hand and respiratory hygiene.

He said this is 'really, really important' amid growing speculation around an easing of restrictions before Christmas.

"We are pleased to say that we are noticing a very gradual reduction in the number of people who are being admitted to our hospitals with COVID-19 and while that is encouraging we must always remember that transmission continues to be high within our community areas and it is really, really important, particularly when there is talk of easing of restrictions, it is more important than ever that we take responsibility for each other and ourselves, through our actions, to reduce transmission as we progress towards Christmas," said the senior clinician.

Dr. Brown urged people to maintain an 'absolute focus on social distancing' and to ensure face coverings are worn in all locations.

If someone is feeling unwell they should be 'very mindful of transmission' risks and if there is any sense they might be displaying COVID-19 symptoms they should isolate immediately, he said.

The WHSCT nursing chief paid tribute to his staff colleagues who he said were enduring the most difficult period of their careers in health care.

"It is really, really important that we continue to work together to reduce transmission, to support each other, keep each other safe.

"I turn my attention for a few moments just to our fantastic staff in the Western Trust. I really want to thank them once more for their huge professionalism, for their resilience and their care and compassion to families during these most difficult weeks, probably more difficult weeks than we've ever had in health and social care," he said.

Dr. Brown condoled with all of these who have lost loved ones as a result of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

"Our thoughts remain with those who have been affected by COVID-19. Those families who have lost a very significant person in their lives. Our thoughts are with you. They will remain with you and we will continue to do our very best to provide safe and effective care for everyone affected by COVID-19 and other conditions," he said.

The seven-day COVID-19 rate per 100,000 in Derry & Strabane rose for the fourth consecutive day yesterday and is now the second highest in the north after Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon.

Between November 12 and November 18 there were 333 coronavirus cases in Derry/Strabane giving a rate of 221 per 100,000, up from 209.7 on Wednesday. The rate is now significantly above the average for the north (180.7).

Only Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (248) is recording a higher rate as recent progress on reducing transmission locally appears to have slipped backwards.

The daily change in the cumulative number of patients with a positive test in Derry and Strabane between November 17 and November 18 was 57. In total 6,460 people have now tested positive for the illness in Derry and Strabane.

There were no more recorded deaths of patients who had tested positive for COVID-19 in Derry and Strabane on Wednesday or Thursday. The total death toll in the district remains at 73. One more person was admitted to Altnagelvin on Wednesday having tested positive for COVID-19.

At midnight on Wednesday there were 66 coronavirus patients in Western Trust hospitals. Three of ten (30%) ICU beds at Altnagelvin were being used to treat COVID-19 patients; four (40%) were occupied by patients with other conditions; and three (30%) ICU beds were free.

Five ICU patients in total were being ventilated - two were COVID-19 patients and three were non-COVID-19 patients. In terms of general occupancy 17.65 % of beds at Altnagelvin were ‘COVID-19 occupied’, 75.85% were ‘other occupied’ and the hospital now has 2.17% capacity left in the system; 4.33% was classified as ‘awaiting admission’.