Filenews 18 November 2021 - by Marilena Panagi
State hospitals are preparing for the continuation, since the estimates of specialists for an increase in coronavirus hospitalizations in the coming period seem to be confirmed. In fact, this happens at a time when the pathology departments of the hospitals of the CySEC are already 95% full due to the outbreak observed this year in other seasonal infections, which makes the work of the competent authorities even more difficult.
"The estimates of the CySEC for the increase of hospitalized patients in the ICU due to coronavirus unfortunately confirmed," the spokesman of the CySEC Charalambos Charilaou said, speaking to "F", adding that "unfortunately the results of the last few days do not give us any optimistic message for the future, since the detection of more than 350 new coronavirus cases per 24 hours gives a clear indication that in the coming days we will have a further increase in the number of coronavirus patients in general".
As Mr. Charilaou explained, "in recent days the number of coronavirus patient admissions has ranged between 11-12 per day and this number reflects the 200-250 cases we had last week. Now based on the models we use and to date they have not fallen out, with 300-350 cases a day we have to expect 15-17 admissions and that is what we will start to see in the next 7 to 10 days." "No one wants this scenario to be confirmed", stressed Mr. Charilaou, adding however that "since we have made these predictions we cannot remain apathetic and not proceed to our preparation for every eventuality".
Particularly worrying, he said, "is the fact that the Increased Care Units have a large number of hospitalized people and this unfortunately tells us that the number of patients in the Intensive Care Unit will also increase. We've already gone to 17 patients in just a few days." At the same time, "based on the latest national report, we see that 95% of people who have a positive effect on the coronavirus report at least one symptom. This also gives us a serious indication of the continuity, as well as the positivity rate, i.e. the number of cases detected based on the number of tests carried out is of concern."
Regarding the occupancy of the PPE, Mr. Charilaou mentioned that "we have developed a design that allows us to increase the number of Increased Care beds in order to make every effort to avoid the transfer of patients to the ICU and their intubation. It is not the best outcome to intubate a patient and we have followed this practice in a previous exacerbation with great success."
Writing until Friday the recommendations of scientists
A request from the Minister of Health Michalis Hadjipandelas to submit in writing their suggestions for measures to be taken by noon on Friday, was received yesterday by the members of the Advisory Scientific Committee and the minister's goal is for the submission of the recommendations to precede the meeting he will have with the members of the TEU at 3 pm on Monday. In fact, if the recommendations of the scientists include specific measures and restrictions that must be implemented in order to stop the looming new outbreak of the pandemic, the Minister of Health will proceed on Wednesday morning to a relevant proposal to the Council of Ministers to take the final decisions.
Therefore, what has so far seen the light of publicity for suggestions from scientists, whether they are personal views of some of the members of the TEU or are proposals that were put forward for discussion during the meeting held last Monday at the Ministry of Health or even thoughts made by the Ministry and the Government, since officially the scientists will be placed in writing by tomorrow at noon.
They are also getting ready for the flu
The pathology departments of all public hospitals, "are at 95% of their occupancy because we have many admissions of patients with other seasonal infections." At the same time and in Makarios Hospital we see an increased number of children with lower respiratory tract infections and all this foreshadows a difficult winter because we still have not reached the flu season," said the spokesman of the CySEC and explained: "At the moment in the ICU are 47 patients, 17 are coronavirus patients and the other 30 are patients with other health problems. If the number of coronavirus patients in the ICU increases in the coming days, we will have no choice but to send patients with other problems to the private sector."
The paediatric ward of Makarios Hospital is also increased. As the director of the paediatric clinic, Abraham Elias, said in a statement, "we are seeing an increased number of children affected by the RSV virus", which causes a lower respiratory tract infection, "and this is particularly worrying about this and we are telling parents that they must protect their children. To reduce especially at this time the contacts of older children with younger siblings and generally to reduce our contacts because this year viruses are circulating as we see and we have many children who need hospitalization.
Let's not forget, said Mr. Elias, "that we have not yet entered even the flu season and we must bear in mind that we have a difficult winter ahead of us".
Of course, the proposals of some of the members of the TEU, which were publicly placed in the previous period, have become known:
► The introduction of individual SelfTest rapid diagnostic tests, which will be supplied to citizens from private pharmacies and if their result is positive they will have the right to free verification through the sampling programs of the Ministry of Health whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated.
► The designation of specific sites/activities as high risk and the introduction of the condition for a negative test result in both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
► The enhancement of teleworking.
► The increase in controls in specific areas where there is an increased number of cases and a low vaccination coverage rate.
As far as the information about the introduction of the third dose of the vaccine on SafePass is concerned, these officially do not seem to be confirmed, although health ministry sources said yesterday that some thoughts are being made on the basis of what is being studied and at the Level of the European Union.
