29.03.2024

Coronavirus concerns lead Manchester hospital to ban visits

Bosses at Stepping Hill in Stockport have suspended friends and family seeing patients for a fortnight as they battle with rising Covid-19 numbers. Visits have been banned at a Greater Manchester hospital amid growing concern once more over coronavirus rates.

But they said that exceptions on compassionate grounds would be allowed on a case-by-case basis.

Infection rates in Stockport currently stand at 439.5 cases per 100,000 people. While that is slightly down on last week, it is still above the national average of 416.2. Three people died with the illness in the town in the last week.

In a statement, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the facility, said the decision to halt visits had “not been made lightly” but was necessary.

They said: “Due to the challenges associated with the Covid-19 infection rate at Stepping Hill Hospital and the local community, the decision has been made to once again postpone routine hospital visiting.

“This decision has not been made lightly and we recognise that this may cause distress for patients and their families.

“Exceptions will be made on compassionate grounds, on a case by case basis. These visits must be pre-arranged with the nurse in charge. The safety of our patients, staff and the local community is a priority.

“The current suspension is for a two-week period and starts on Wednesday 3 November. This will be reviewed regularly and we will keep the public informed of any changes that occur.”

It is not the first hospital to take the action in recent days. On Wednesday, hospitals across Norfolk – including the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital – announced they were suspending visits to inpatient wards in a bid to reduce potential Covid-spread.

Colorado Hospitals Activate Tier 3 For Transfers As Facilities Become Overwhelmed With Patients

The highest level, Tier 3, allows the state and hospitals to send patients, both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19, anywhere in Colorado when one facility is full or cannot care for an acutely ill patient.

Hospitals across Colorado have activated the highest level for the state’s Combined Hospital Transfer Center. That’s because hospitals are overwhelmed with patients.

Hospitals are dealing with escalating COVID-19 cases and an increasing number of general hospitalizations.

The Combined Hospital Transfer Center was re-activated at Tier 1 in August when COVID-19 hospitalizations were beginning to increase.

“This is an extraordinary step taken by the state’s hospitals and health systems,” said Darlene Tad-y, MD, CHA vice president of clinical affairs in a statement. “Even when under immense pressure, the state’s health care system continues to work collaboratively with each other and our partners at the state to ensure the best care possible is available to every Coloradan that needs it. However, activating Tier 3 of the CHTC should send a clear message to Coloradans: our health care system is in jeopardy of being overwhelmed.

“Our frontline health care workers and hospitals need everyone’s help to get through this. Please continue to wash your hands, wear a mask, and watch your distance when out in public, and, if you’re able, get a COVID-19 vaccine. It’s also crucial that individuals continue to seek health care at the right level, the right time, and the right place. The best solution for our capacity issues right now is to lower the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, and we need help from all Coloradans to do that.”

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