Limited hospital capacity keeps Dorset in Tier 2
It's one of the reason's why restrictions aren't being relaxed
Limited capacity at Dorset's hospitals is being credited as one barrier to the county entering Tier 1 restrictions.
Yesterday, it was confirmed that Dorset would remain in Tier 2, despite a drop in coronavirus case numbers.
But, it's believed hospitals are over 90% full, which would have factored in to the government's decision making process.
Councillor Laura Miller is the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health.
She said:
"Our local hospitals are looking at anything between 91% and 96% capacity overall, that's not just with COVID cases, that's with usual winter pressures.
"Overall capacity is really really stretched and in the social care sector, we're experiencing shortages and staff as staff test positive, we've got pressure in our care home sector.
The most recent statistics show Dorset's infection rate is far below the national average, but cases are starting to increase.
As of the 12th of December, there were 174 cases per 100,000 in the county.
But, Laura says it's not just numbers that the government consider when it comes to deciding who goes up or down a tier. She says there's been some confusion.
"I would agree that it's not clear and I think that's part of the problem because people automatically think falling cases over a week 'let's go down a tier', because that seems reasonable.
"But, there are all sorts of factors and we really have to consider. There's so much to think about, you've got to think about how quickly and effectively cases have been detected and you've got to think about our over-60s the rate - not just the cases rising or falling - but the rate at which they are doing so and then of course our collective pressure on the NHS and on social care because that really is important."
Cllr Spencer Flower, Leader of Dorset Council, said:
“I am disappointed that the Dorset Council area will remain in Tier 2, as we know the rate of COVID infection here is one of the lowest in the country. However, with it being so close to Christmas bubble restrictions coming into force, I understand the concerns the Government has and certainly wouldn’t want to see cases rise.
"The people of Dorset have worked really hard and made sacrifices over many months. I’d like to thank them once again for their efforts. If we can continue what we are doing now, we can hopefully go back into Tier 1 in the very near future.”