The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 is on the increase in Wales, latest figures reveal. Data from the Welsh Government shows that 437 patients 'confirmed' with the virus were in general, acute and critical care beds on October 4 - double the number a month ago and the highest since July 22.
However, it must be noted that just 29 (7%) of these people were being actively treated for the virus and were therefore in hospital for other reasons. At the start of the year it was common for 30-40% of Covid hospital patients to be actively treated for the virus.
Nevertheless, if there are more people testing positive for coronavirus in Welsh hospitals it does pose a problem for NHS staff. Not only do these patients need to be separated from those who are negative to prevent a spike in hospital-acquired infections, it raises the risk of staff contracting the disease and needing to take time off, further adding to the workforce crisis.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board had the most confirmed Covid patients in its hospitals on October 4 with 129, followed by Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB with 75, Swansea Bay UHB with 72, Betsi Cadwaladr UHB with 65, Hywel Dda UHB with 63, and Aneurin Bevan UHB with 33.
Of the 437 Covid-positive patients in hospital, nine were being treated in critical care beds - the highest level of care. Five of them were being treated specifically for the virus. That's substantially less than the figures seen during the Omicron wave at the start of the year when it was common to see 25 patients or more in critical care.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: "Coronavirus has not gone away. We can expect to see seasonal peaks in respiratory viruses, including coronavirus, which is why we are encouraging everyone who is eligible to have their autumn booster vaccine Vaccination is our best defence against both coronavirus and flu. Tens of thousands of people are being vaccinated every week – it's never too late to have your Covid vaccine if you haven’t had it already.
"We will be publishing our public health approach to respiratory viruses for the autumn and winter and technical advice to support the NHS. Everyone can follow simple steps to keep themselves safe by washing your hands regularly, wearing face-coverings in health and care settings and staying at home if you are ill."
According to the latest update from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) infection survey for the week ending September 20, the estimated number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in Wales was 62,900, equating to 2.07% of the population or around one in 50 people. That is a notable increase on the 39,700 (1.31%%), or around one in 75 people, for the week ending September 14. It is the second week in a row there has been a substantial rise. For the week ending September 5, only one in 110 people had Covid. It means that in the past fortnight the number of people with Covid in Wales has more than doubled.
A spokesman for Swansea Bay University Health Board said: "Wales as a whole is seeing a gradual increase in Covid cases in the community. This was expected as we head into the autumn and winter months when respiratory viruses, including Covid and flu, are more prevalent. It's a timely reminder of the need for all those who are eligible to have their Covid autumn booster and flu vaccinations when offered.
"We continue to have Covid positive patients in our hospitals and they are managed in line with established infection prevention and control procedures. However, Covid cases are not responsible for the pressures which have been felt at Morriston Hospital and other hospitals in Wales over the last few days.
"The pressures are linked to a higher incidence of very unwell patients who need to be seen in hospital. This means that patients who are not seriously ill or injured are facing longer waits than we would like. We'd like to remind everyone to support our staff and hospital services by using alternatives for advice and care if you can, such as the NHS 111 Wales online symptom checker, local pharmacies and the Minor Injury Unit at Neath Port Talbot Hospital."
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