Second COVID surge is here says health boss

Addressing a virtual meeting of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust Board, Shane Devlin provided members with an update on how the Trust is coping with COVID-19 at present.

Mr Devlin told members the second surge is here and the challenges facing the Trust are greater than they were during the first surge.

He alerted members to the large number of inpatients, the public’s use of the emergency department, the prevalence of COVID-19 within the area encompassed by the Southern Trust and the pressures on staffing.

He started by explaining that during the first surge, the largest number of inpatients across the Southern Trust at any point was 63.

Mr Devlin said that as of October 21, there were 77 inpatients across the Southern Trust.

“That is really important for the Board to understand,” said Mr Devlin. “We are now in the second surge and the numbers are already higher in terms of inpatients in our system. That is a huge pressure on our system.

“The first surge was a different environment to what we are in now. In the first surge people did not come to the emergency department, we are in a different position now.”

Mr Devlin said the prevalence of COVID-19 within the community and the rate of community transmission is “much higher” now as well.

“The testing capacity has increased since the first surge and that could lead to more cases of the virus being found but I think it is really important to note the rate of COVID-19 per 100,000 of the population,” he said.

“In the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council region across the last seven days the rate per 100,000 is about 260 per 100,000.

“In the Mid Ulster District Council region it has been in the high 400s and recently, by looking at the post code data around positive tests, the Dungannon area appears to be very hot.

“In terms of Newry, Mourne and Down the seven day average has been well over 300 for the last three weeks as well.”

The Chief Executive then informed members that on October 22 there were over 500 people across the Trust unable to work as a result of a COVID-19 related issue.

“That does not necessarily mean they have had a positive COVID-19 test but they may be shielding or have a family member with symptoms,” said Mr Devlin.

“We have demand for our services that is greater than we had during the first surge and our resourcing challenge, in terms of staff, is considerable.”

Hospital under pressure - read here.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you.