Over 150 Covid-19 Patients Currently in St George's Hospital
33 in intensive care but Trust able to maintain elective outpatient services
More than 150 patients are currently being treated for coronavirus at St George’s Hospital in Tooting.
Wandsworth councillors were told at this week’s full council meeting (16 December) that although the trust is busy, it is managing effectively and elective outpatient activity is being maintained.
As of December 17, there were 33 Covid positive patients being cared for in intensive care, and 118 being cared for on the wards.
The trust’s winter plan allows it to increase its intensive care unit to 160 beds if it needs to. It also has more than 1,100 beds across St George’s and Queen Mary’s Hospitals.
Sadly 355 patients have died and tested positive for Covid-19 since March this year. A statement on the trust’s website says: “Our thoughts are with the families of the patients affected – and, in all cases, we would ask that their privacy is respected at this time.”
When asked about the increase in cases, a spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Our focus is on providing safe and effective care for our patients, and we have robust plans in place to manage increases in demand.
“The public can help us by following the rules, and observing hands, face and space at all times.”
This week the capital was put into Tier 3 measures due to the increase in coronavirus cases. Wandsworth Council leader, Ravi Govindia, updated councillors on the latest figures for the borough.
He said: “The fight against this deadly pandemic remains very much on. I fear it will continue to impact our lives for many months to come. This council is doing everything it can to support our residents, communities and businesses to get through this crisis.”
As of December 15, more than 6,650 Wandsworth residents are confirmed to have had coronavirus and 232 residents have died since the start of the pandemic.
Cllr Govindia said: “We have never seen such times before.”
There has been a “marked increase” in cases in the 10-19 and 20-29 age groups.
He told the council: “Our rates may be lower but there is no room for complacency as elsewhere in London shows how things can change so quickly and there is no time to let down our vigilance.”
This week Wandsworth council began rolling out asymptomatic lateral-flow testing at the council’s civic suite.
The council is targeting three wards with the highest rates of infection, and hopes to ramp up the number of tests in the upcoming week as the capital as a whole ups its response.
Sian Bayley - Local Democracy Reporter
December 18, 2020