Across our community, we are seeing a rising number of cases of COVID-19. This is unfortunately something we are also experiencing within our hospital settings.
Our medical director Deepak Dwarakanath has provided an update to remind people about the importance of good hand hygiene.
We now have more than 60 patients in our care with the virus – a considerable increase over the last month.
He said: “We are seeing a big upsurge in the number of patients who are coming in with COVID or have it found when we screen them – this is the adding to the pressure we are already seeing during this extremely busy summer.”
“The patients coming in to hospital are nowhere near as sick as they were during wave two. This Omicron variant is a much milder disease, though it still makes people ill.
“One of the extra pressures we are seeing is lots of staff being off work sick.
“I think it’s an interesting thought (about bringing back masks). If the modelling shows it would have an impact in (reducing) the number of cases it’s something that may need to be considered.
“If people have symptoms, take a test, If you are in areas crowded try to keep in well ventilated areas and minimise exposure.”
Symptoms of Covid include:
- A temperature
- Cough
- Breathlessness
- Cold-like symptoms
Though we understand people are returning to ‘normal’ life, hand washing is having a major impact in the control of this virus and lots of other bugs. We have seen the incidence of all bugs has dramatically dropped over the last two years with the practice of good hand hygiene.
Deepak Dwarakanath, medical director
For more information about COVID-19 and its symptoms, please visit the NHS website,
