Lack of ICU bed availability at Altnagelvin 'terrifying' says Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin

Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has expressed concern after the daily COVID-19 data published by the Department of Health on Monday reported that there was no spare ICU capacity at Altnagelvin.
Sinéad McLaughlinSinéad McLaughlin
Sinéad McLaughlin

According to the daily COVID-19 data a total of nine ICU beds were occupied - seven by COVID-19 patients and two by non-COVID-19 patients.

While the 'Journal' understands the hospital is equipped to increase the number of ICU beds to 18, the Department of Health daily dashboard reported that an ICU capacity of nine beds had been exhausted.

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The SDLP MLA said: "We have now reached the most serious crisis point in the pandemic as far as the local health service is concerned. It is terrifying to learn that there is not a single available ICU bed at Altnagelvin.

"I appeal to people to take the emergency restrictions seriously and to protect themselves and others.

"The latest statistics underline the desperate need for the track and trace system to work more effectively, and also for it to fully integrate with the system in the Republic.

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Altnagelvin at a ‘critical juncture’ as COVID spikes says director of acute services Geraldine McKay"We have to identify with accuracy and speed not only who is infected, but where and how they were infected. Without that knowledge we will struggle to close down the spread of infection. Sadly and annoyingly we have systems that do not work well enough."