Cornwall's hospitals are currently treating around 80 patients with Covid
Health bosses say it is having a significant impact, with ward closures and transfer delays
Last updated 9th Mar 2022
Around 80 people with coronavirus are in hospital in Cornwall right now and officials say it is having a significant impact.
Health bosses say the Covid rate in the Duchy is running slightly higher than the national average.
It means wards are closing, with a knock-on effect on admissions, discharges and queuing ambulances.
Deputy Medical Director at RCHT, Dr Gill Derrick said: "The vast majority of patients with Covid, which remains at over 80 across our acute and community hospitals, are being admitted for other reasons.
"Although all patients are tested on admission, we are finding many have been unknowingly carrying the virus.
"When a Covid test later in their admission then proves positive, it means we must close a bay, or in some cases a whole ward, for at least 10 days. This has a big knock-on impact for patients waiting for admission and ultimately ambulances waiting to hand over their patients.
"It's very similar to the effect we saw when norovirus affected our hospitals in the past".
Dr Derrick continued: "We need residents and visitors to help us stop the spread of covid in Cornwall and to reduce the risk of the virus coming into our hospitals by continuing to take precautions in their day to day activities and isolating if they test positive themselves.
"Although it’s no longer a legal requirement, we’d ask people to keep wearing face coverings in shops, on public transport and in large indoor gatherings, keep their distance from others and making sure workplaces and homes are well ventilated.
“All of our health and care services continue to be under significant pressure.
"Accessing the right services when you need them (call 111 if you’re not sure) and driving down our covid infection rate, are the best ways people can help us, help them.
“Remember too, to protect yourself and others by getting you covid vaccination. It’s not too late to get your first, second or booster dose and there are plenty of places across Cornwall to get vaccinated".
You can visit the NHS Kernow website to find a vaccination session near you or call 119.