The manager of Sligo University Hospital say they are dealing with a significant increase in the number of patients with COVID-19, a situation that’s expected to continue over the coming days.
Meanwhile, there are 101 hospital staff currently unavailable for work due to COVID-19.
The number of patients with Covid-19 in Sligo University Hospital, and the number requiring critical care, is constantly changing.
This afternoon, the hospital had 48 patients with COVID-19, with 6 Covid patients in ICU.
At 8pm yesterday evening, there were 54 patients with Covid in the hospital and 5 requiring critical care.
Currently, there are 5 critical care beds in the hospital.
Hospital Manager Grainne McCann says they were dealing with a significant increase in the number of patients with COVID-19 being treated in the hospital — and this situation is likely to continue over the coming days.
She said that 10 days ago they had 40 patients with COVID-19 and one patient in ICU.
In order to manage the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases being treated in hospital — and the rising numbers in the community which are likely to lead to more people needing hospital care — the hospital is continuing to defer all but very urgent and time critical inpatient and day surgery.
Outpatient face-to-face clinics have also been curtailed.
However some of these will take place virtually or by telephone unless it is absolutely necessary for patients to be seen.
Patients should not come to the hospital unless they receive a phone call confirming that their outpatient appointment is going ahead.
Visiting restrictions also remain in place at the hospital.
And while the hospital continues to be extremely busy, the Emergency Department is operating as usual, with those requiring emergency treatment being treated strictly in order of medical priority.
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