Specialists expect stricter government measures against ‘tsunami’ corona | Inland

If the policy does not change, about 5,000 corona patients will be in hospitals next month, the medical specialists fear. That is four times as many as now. In that case, 70 percent of regular care will have to be canceled, more than in the first wave last spring.

Reservoir care not yet eliminated

Van Benthem compares the first corona wave with the flood disaster of 1953. In order to accommodate the corona patients, the treatment of many people with other complaints was canceled. About half of the regular care came to a standstill. This led to a ‘reservoir’ of deferred care, which has not yet been eliminated. Tumors and heart disease have been found later in some patients, which may cause them to die earlier, and if they survive they will have more complaints for the rest of their lives.

Last summer, when the first wave was over, the government and hospitals prepared for a second wave. Van Benthem: “The harsh reality of today is that although our Delta Works should be able to withstand a predicted second storm surge, this Covid-19 wave has assumed the shape of a tsunami: rising more slowly than at the beginning of this year, but all the more so. more destructive and what appears to be a much longer course. ”

The medical specialists also made themselves heard during the first wave of infection. For example, in March the FMS was one of the organizations calling for all schools to be closed in order to halt the advance of the virus. A day after that call, the cabinet announced that the schools and the catering industry were closing.

Press conference

The so-called Outbreak Management Team (OMT), which includes all kinds of health experts, will meet on Monday about the corona situation. This results in an advice to the cabinet. Prime Minister Mark Rutte and ‘corona star’ Hugo de Jonge will give another press conference on Tuesday evening about the approach to the virus. According to insiders, the cabinet will tighten up the corona measures again. A total lockdown is not expected.

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