The number of emergency room admissions has jumped in recent days at Bergerac hospital. Contamination is exploding in Dordogne, with an incidence rate of 900 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, against 437 on December 27. “Last week, for example, we had 100 emergency room visits a day, compared to the usual 80, including 17 people with symptoms of covid”, specifies Anthony Boukoucha, the acting director of the Bergerac hospital, guest of the morning of France Bleu Périgord this Tuesday. In the end, only five people were positive. “But you have to test them, isolate them, that translates to an overload of activity”, explains the director. Currently, two patients are hospitalized in critical care but no covid patient is in intensive care in Bergerac.
An increase in emergency room hospitalizations
Among these covid patients, cases of the Omicron variant are detected. The laboratory, present on site at the hospital, screens each test. “The Omicrone variant is circulating in Bergerac and throughout the region”, assures Anthony Boukoucha, even if no daily statistics are carried out.
Three intensive care beds were opened exceptionally in Bergerac to relieve the hospitals of Périgueux. Three beds occupied by non-covid patients. They are taken care of by staff in the operating room. “This therefore supposes a reduction in the block’s activity. Currently, 40% of operations are deprogrammed”, specifies the director. Only non-urgent operations are concerned, by decision of the doctors.
The Omicrone variant circulates in Bergerac and throughout the region
Covid also affects caregivers. About ten people among the staff are positive or in case of contact. For the moment, only negative contact cases continue to work, with reinforced barrier measures. As of this week, hospitals can ask their positive, symptom-free caregivers to work. “For the moment this is not the case in Bergerac but we could need it in the coming days because we have a lot of vacant positions, especially among nurses, explains Anthony Boukoucha. Otherwise the operation may be jeopardized. “
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