ADMISSIONS at Whiston Hospital remain stable as the coronavirus infection rate continues to fall across the region, although bed occupancy levels are still “extremely high”.
It’s almost one month since the Liverpool City Region, which St Helens is a part of, entered Tier 3 lockdown measures amid surging infection rates and hospital admissions.
Since then the infection rate has continued to fall across the region, and the Tier 3 measures have been superseded by a national lockdown.
READ > Coronavirus infection rate continues to fall in St Helens
Admission data has also pointed to a possible flat lining in hospitals across the North West, although local hospitals still remain under immense pressure.
The situation at St Helens and Knowsley NHS Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust remains largely unchanged over the past fortnight.
Currently, Whiston Hospital has four dedicated coronavirus wards.
The latest figures published by NHS England shows that 122 confirmed coronavirus patients being cared for within the trust, as of November 3.
While this number has fluctuated, the trust, which runs Whiston, St Helens and Newton hospitals, had 122 Covid patients one week earlier.
Between October 26 and November 1, a total of 78 people who were known to have Covid-19 or diagnosed in hospital were admitted to Whiston Hospital.
The previous week there had been 72 cases.
Whiston’s intensive care unit (ICU) has seen a notable increase, however, with 12 Covid patients taking up beds as of November 3, up from seven one week earlier.
As of Monday, 11 Covid patients are currently in ICU, and it is understood there has not been any significant change in admissions in the past few days.
Ann Marr, chief executive of St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Attendances to the hospitals are back to their normal levels and we are managing both emergency and planned admissions alongside the extra demand created by Covid.
“This puts a great deal of pressure on all services, including the Intensive Care Unit, where occupancy remains very high.
“I would urge members of our community to continue to take every precaution to protect themselves, their family and friends from this deadly virus and help us to be able to provide the necessary care to all our patients.
“It is also important that people do not put off receiving care should they need it.
“If you develop any worrying symptoms or require emergency care, please seek medical assistance from your GP or the hospital as appropriate.”
Last week, the trust passed a grim milestone, surpassing 300 coronavirus deaths.
READ > St Helens Council's former chief executive was paid £256k in final year
Between November 2 and 8, the trust has recorded 10 coronavirus deaths.
The previous week it recorded 26 deaths.
So far during November, 17 coronavirus deaths have been recorded by the trust. During the whole of October, the trust recorded 76 coronavirus deaths.
Since the start of the pandemic, the trust has recorded 307 coronavirus deaths.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here