Tayside hospital covid figures nearly double overnight
36 patients are currently in hospital - many of them are under the age of 40
The number of patients in Tayside's hospitals with coronavirus has nearly doubled overnight.
36 are currently being cared for, many of them are under the age of 40.
Health chiefs are expect this figure to rise over the coming days, two extra wards at Ninewells have been opened as a result.
GPs in the city's Covid Assessment Centre are seeing five times as many people as last month, who feel unwell.
The number of covid patients is far below the peak second wave levels of January but with staff self-isolating and more vital surgeries being carried out, resources are being used elsewhere.
NHS Tayside's pleading with the public to get vaccinated.
Dr Pamela Johnston, Operational Medical Director said: “We currently have 36 patients in hospital requiring care for COVID with some of those requiring more intensive care in our ICU and HDU.
"Many of these patients are under the age of 40 and we expect this number to increase over the next few weeks.
“As part of our plans to care for these patients, we have opened two additional wards in Ninewells Hospital, meaning we now have three dedicated wards with almost 60 beds for COVID-19 patients.
“Our GP colleagues at the COVID Assessment Centre in Dundee are also very busy, seeing five times as many people as last month.
"These are people of all ages who are feeling very unwell with the virus and coming for assessment. Younger people still get ill enough with COVID to have to see doctors and a proportion of these do require hospital admission.
“What is different for the hospital in this latest spike, and more so than at the start of the year, is that there is more emergency surgical and medical activity happening. We also have a number of staff self-isolating.
“All of these things together mean that all of our health and care services in Tayside are under increasing strain from this demand.
“I know everyone is really fed up of living with restrictions and wants to enjoy the summer, but we really need your support to get the number of new cases down.
“Please, on behalf of all of our teams here in hospital and out in our communities, can I ask all of you to keep following the FACTS guidance, wear a face mask, avoid crowded spaces, clean your hands regularly, stay 2 metres distance from others and self isolate if you develop symptoms and book a test.
“Test yourself regularly to make sure you are not passing on the virus to your friends and family – it has never been easier to get tested, so please make it part of your routine.
“It is also very important that everyone gets both doses of the vaccine when they are offered for maximum protection against the virus. Drop-in clinics are now running for everyone over the age of 18, so please get jabbed.”