The burden of Covid-19 on hospitals “remains significant” but has notably reduced from its peak, with a number of indicators of virus transmission beginning to improve, according to the State’s interim chief medical officer (CMO).
In her most recent weekly update to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, dated July 22nd, Prof Breda Smyth said the overall epidemiological situation indicated “continuing high levels of infection”.
A “significant number” of cases were receiving general hospital care, she said, but added that this figure had fallen over recent days.
“The Covid-19 burden on acute hospital care remains significant but has reduced from a recent peak of 1,055 on July 11th to 704 as of [July 22nd],” Prof Smyth said.
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The number of Covid patients in hospital has decreased further since last Friday, to 471 on July 29th, official figures show.
“The daily average number of newly confirmed cases in hospital has also reduced. These trends will continue to be monitored.”
Prof Smyth said the total number of confirmed cases in critical care and the average number of ICU admissions remain “broadly stable following a recent increase”. The number of ICU Covid-19 cases requiring mechanical ventilation also continues to be stable.
A total of 10,781 confirmed PCR cases were reported in the seven days to July 20th, 24 per cent lower than the previous week.
There were 10,036 positive antigen test results reported during the same period, a 39 per cent decrease week on week.
Hospital infections
While acknowledging the testing guidance may influence trends, the update said the number of detected infections had decreased compared with the previous week.
“PCR testing volumes and test positivity have also decreased. A significant proportion of detected infections continues to be identified in older age groups,” it said.
Prof Smyth said there continued to be a significant number of cases of hospital-acquired infection. There were 289 hospital acquired Covid-19 infections reported in the week ending July 10th, compared with 230 in the week ending July 3rd and 199 in the week ending June 26th.
There were 94 Covid-19 outbreaks notified, the update states, 39 of which were in nursing homes, 25 in acute hospitals and 18 in residential institutional settings.
“The number of notified outbreaks are stable in most vulnerable settings, following a recent increase. Covid-19 mortality has remained relatively stable, although it is noted that there can be a lag in reporting of deaths,” the update states.
Figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), published this week, show there were 90 deaths of people with Covid-19 during June 26th-July 23rd. The mean age for those who died during this period was 78, the body said.
Separately, plans to scale back testing and tracing will begin in the autumn. Under the changes, testing will take place only when a GP decides it is clinically necessary.
The HSE is also developing testing and tracing emergency response plans, which would allow the service to be ramped up in situations when there is a spike in deaths or emergence of a variant of concern.
