The decision fell last night, even if at this point in the fifth wave, saturating the island’s hospitals was not on the agenda. In addition, hospitalized patients have less severe symptoms than in previous episodes.
Anticipate a potential influx of patients and an increase in hospital strength. while the COVID-19 follow ascending curve employment Corsica and surely winter viruses It can make an exciting entry into the scene healthy, NSRegional Health Agency of Corsica (ARS) Announced last night to move Planck areal, an emergency mechanism that allows mobilizing additional human, material and logistical resources in the event of a crisis, inviting the private sector and adapting the activity of institutions.
Also read: Covid cases outbreak: ARS launches regional white plan
This decision , Taken after consulting with all the players involved, According to the ARS formula, it intervenes in a context “Truly exceptional packing.” from different sites.
At Bastia Hospital Center, of course, we are closely following the epidemiological data published by the regional health agency. Of course, we take seriously the deterioration in indicators that has been observed in recent days.
But who’s there to talk about anxiety… “When we look at patients who are hospitalized, we see that unlike previous waves, these are less severe cases, Explains Dr. Andre de Cavarelli, Head of the Emergency and Continuing Care Unit. Patients who require less oxygen and who are medically more than continuous or emergency care. What is certain is that if these dangerous forms are fewer in number, it is because more people are being vaccinated.”
The fact is reflected in the figures provided by the management. If the recovery beds for Covid patients are occupied now, the same is not true for the entire system.
In medicine, nine out of 15 beds are occupied and in follow-up care (intermediate management mode between intensive care and medicine), the three beds for coronavirus patients are empty. Ironically, in terms of patient care outside of Covid, the epidemiological situation has the biggest consequences.
“The 15 beds for Covid patients are missing beds, and this creates tensions in the care of other patients”, continues the emergency doctor from Bastia.
Expected peak on December 15
For now, however, management guarantees, no intervention has been cancelled. “According to the plan that we have established, we are working with other health institutions in the department: retirement homes, clinics …, Jean Mathieu Devore, director of the Bastia Hospital Center, explains. We are trying to ensure that patients do not spend too much time in the hospital with us to allow for increased patient turnover.”
A situation under control does not prevent hospital authorities from being vigilant for the coming weeks.
“The Pasteur Institute forecast anticipates a new peak for December 15 with a gradual decline in the early days of January, Jean Mathieu Defour continues. This is a situation we are prepared to face thanks to a well-established plan now. Not to mention that if people are careful and respect the barrier’s gestures, the situation can be reversed quickly.”
There is still one thing we may have to do in the coming weeks: the resources of the nursing staff who have been exhausted by nearly two years of the health crisis.
“Everyone is tired, Dr. de Cavarelli says: There are a lot of sick leaves and the adrenaline effect of the first wave is gone.” At Mercy Hospital in Ajaccio, the evolution of the epidemic is also a major wake-up point.
Currently, 24 Covid patients are being treated there. Six of them have been admitted to intensive care. Here too, we confirm it The symptoms that have appeared are less severe, for the time being at least, than they were during the first wave.
“These are not necessarily very heavy patients. We have very few intubated and ventilated patients.“, notes Jean-Luc Pesset, director of the hospital center. In the workforce, we find a majority of the unvaccinated. “Between 75% and 80% of these patients did not receive any vaccine dose or had an incomplete vaccination schedule.”Director notes.
Their average age is 70 years. In any case, the number of hospitalizations is a cause for concern today. “In the period between the fourth and fifth waves, we were dealing with an average of four or even five patients.”, considered the director. Extreme uncertainty also casts a shadow over the coming days and weeks. “Of course we’re worried about what happens next.”
We fear certain scenarios. “If the wave was bigger and faster, if we had to take in more patients, we would always be able to clean the beds. On the other hand, it is the physical and psychological stress of caregivers that should be feared. Everyone is exhausted by these successive waves“Director develops.
In the meantime, the implementation of the White Plan constitutes, according to him, good news, “Because this makes it possible to formalize a certain number of things, including, unfortunately, some activity deprogrammingAnd Re-contact the staff if needed..
He hopes not to come to this end. “It would be horrible not to have to give all of Christmas break to the agents who have already worked so much and supported Covid.”The hospital director concludes.
