Number of St George’s coronavirus patients remains steady during second wave

By Sian Bayley, Local Democracy Reporter

The number of coronavirus patients being treated at St George’s hospital in Tooting remains steady, and the hospital is continuing to provide all of its key services despite the second lockdown.

In the latest update from the Trust this week there were 17 coronavirus patients being cared for in intensive care and a further 30 coronavirus patients being cared for on the wards.

Last week there were 12 Covid-19 positive patients being cared for in intensive care and a further 34 Covid-19 positive patients cared for on the wards.

Two more patients have died from the virus at the hospital in the past week.

This brings the total number of patients who have died at the hospital after testing positive for the virus since March to 309.

A statement on the Trust’s website said: “Our thoughts are with the families of the patients affected – and, in all cases, we would ask that their privacy is respected at this time.”

Despite the latest lockdown restrictions, the hospital is continuing to provide all of its key services.

A spokeswoman said staff carried out as many planned operations – both inpatient and day surgery – last week as they did at the same time last year.

She added: “In other words, Covid-19 is not restricting our ability to provide safe, effective care for people undergoing routine operations.

“We are providing all key services, including outpatients – although we are carrying out as many appointments virtually as we can.

“We are stressing to patients that we have taken steps to keep people safe when visiting our hospitals and community services – and caring for Covid-19 patients is currently only a small (but important) part of the services we are providing.

“We have more than 1,100 beds at St George’s and Queen Mary’s, which is helpful context given the relatively low number of Covid-19 patients being treated in our hospitals currently.”