Tallaght hospital remains ‘extremely busy’ this week
By Mary Dennehy
TALLAGHT University Hospital remains “extremely busy” this week, with 107 Covid-19 patients being cared for at the local hospital on Wednesday, 10 of whom are in ICU.
The hospital, which has been in contingency planning mode for almost a year, is aware of how tired people are with lockdowns and restrictions.
Tallaght University Hospital
However, the hospital team has asked people to stay home and only go out if essential.
In a comment to The Echo on Wednesday, Tallaght University Hospital CEO Lucy Nugent said: “We are seeing people of all ages being admitted to the hospital and being taken into our critical care unit.
“The levels of infection are such that the chances of transmitting or getting Covid-19 remains particularly high, and a proportion of those cases will lead to serious illness.
“I would like to remind the community that there is no group who should feel the current public health advice does not apply to them.
“We need to continue to act together that we can keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our hospital safe.”
Ms Nugent added: “We have been in contingency planning mode for almost a year now and acutely conscious of how tired people are with the lockdowns and restrictions but they are the only way to restrict the spread of Covid-19, please follow the current advice to stay at home and only go out if it is essential.”
At the time of The Echo going to print on Wednesday, January 20, some 107 Covid-19 patients were being cared for at the hospital, 10 of whom are in ICU.
Confirming the figures, a hospital spokesperson said: “Although national Covid numbers are starting to decline the hospital remains extremely busy with Covid-19 patients presenting to the Emergency Department”.
In relation to the Covid-19 vaccination clinic at TUH, more than 2,600 first dose vaccines have been given to staff working across the hospital.
The hospital is currently awaiting the delivery of vaccines to vaccinate remaining staff and to commence second doses.
“Once delivery restarts the Covid-19 vaccination clinic will restart running six days a week to ensure staff at TUH are vaccinated as quickly as possible”, the spokesperson said.
For up-to-date information on Covid-19 and guidelines visit HSE and GOV.
Anybody who needs help in accessing information or connecting with local supports can call South Dublin County Council’s Community Call helpline on 1800 240 519.
The free helpline is open from 9am to 1pm, Monday to Friday, and is open to anybody living across South Dublin County in need of practical support or someone to talk to.
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