The peak of over 250 Covid-19 patients at Stradiņš Hospital was in November. The number of these patients has now decreased six times to under 40. The intensive care unit is still under heavy pressure because it contains both severe Covid-19 patients and patients who have not received assistance in good time.
“Right now we are in the decline of the Covid-19 peak. We believe we've won the third wave of Covid-19. And of course we look at next year with concern, because Omicron is coming,” Muciņš said.
The hospital estimates that the increase in patient numbers could happen in February. According to forecasts by epidemiologists, in the worst-case scenario, there could be 6,500 Covid patients altogether in Latvia's hospitals. In preparation for this, the Stradiņš hospital recalculates staffing and plans to provide other services.
“Of course, the hospital is not infinite. If we need to increase the number of Covid-19 patients [admitted], then, unfortunately, the number of patients with other diagnoses needs to be reduced and rescheduled,” the hospital manager said.
During covid-19 outbreaks, the hospital is trying to limit as little as possible the provision of assistance to oncological and cardiology patients. On the other hand, scheduled surgery has been delayed several times and some patients have also been affected several times. Stradiņš Hospital has 750 patient beds altogether.
