Hospital coping despite upturn in Sandwell Covid-19 cases, say bosses
The spike in coronavirus cases in a borough is not being replicated at its main hospital, health bosses have said.
Clusters of cases have been identified across Sandwell over recent weeks, largely associated with workplaces, leaving public health officials scrambling to trace those who have been affected.
It has led to warnings that measures seen in other parts of the UK could be imposed to try and stop the spread of the Covid-19 if cases continue to rise.
But, at the moment, bosses at the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust say the increase in cases is not resulting in hospital admissions.
The pressure on Sandwell General has ease hugely since the height of the pandemic and a new report showed there were no patients in intensive care as of August 23. At that time, there were 12 patients who had tested positive for Covid-19. On average, there is now 1.2 patients a week coming in with coronavirus, representing a huge fall from the peak of the crisis.
Medics have said they are prepared to scale up operations again in the event of a second surge.
The latest workplace outbreak in the borough emerged this week at Asda in Cape Hill, Smethwick, where eight new infections were reported this week. Employers have been urged to share any details of cases at their workplace by council officials. Smethwick in particular is a cause for concern.
Acting NHS trust chief executive David Carruthers said bosses were continuing to monitor local cases. He said the local cases meant there would not yet be a return to full visiting.
He said in a report to board members: "We are keeping a close eye on community Covid-19 cases both in Sandwell and Birmingham but increased rates recently in the community (in a younger and low/asymptomatic group) isn’t reflecting on increased work in wither primary or secondary care.
"However this increase in community cases delays any decision on re-introducing visiting on a wide scale at present, but some relaxation of criteria for visiting certain groups of patients seems acceptable where their care will be improved by this."
Acting Sandwell Council leader Maria Crompton reiterated the message to employers about the importance of flagging up cases.
She said: "Let's continue to help each other stay safe, Covid-19 is a potentially fatal illness.
"If you have any positive coronavirus cases within your workforce or community organisation please contact the public health team."
