Health board data shows how Covid hospital admissions have dropped in North Wales since second wave peak

New data has shown how Covid hospital admissions have dipped sharply in North Wales since the peak of the second wave.

Coronavirus cases have been reducing across the region over the last two months after the amount of patients going into hospital with the virus reached its highest point in mid-January.

Graphs published by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board ahead of an upcoming meeting show the number of community cases and admissions were at their worst in the north east for most of the period.

But this has now levelled out with most areas in a similar position.

As can be seen below, the decline in cases within the community has been most notable in places like Wrexham, which at one stage was the worst in Wales in terms of infection rates.

Counties further west started relatively low and remained so for most of the time, despite Anglesey and Gwynedd, witnessing increases more recently.

A hospital outbreak occurred during late February at Ysbyty Gwynedd, which has resulted in an increase in inpatients with Covid-19 in late February and early March and the suspension of planned operations.

The health board said a range of outbreak interventions have been put in place and are being closely monitored.

In line with the reduction in admissions due to Covid-19, pressure upon critical care facilities has decreased slightly, although is still said to be very busy.

There are currently 12 patients being look after across the three critical care units, who are receiving enhanced treatment due to the virus.

Writing in a report to board members, the health board’s new chief executive Jo Whitehead said: “The past two months has seen the NHS in Wales and across the UK under extreme pressure as it responds to increased COVID-19 infection rates.

“This has been no different in BCUHB, however since reaching a peak in mid-January 2021, rates of occupancy of COVID-19 patients in our critical care beds have gradually decreased.

“This has enabled a gradual de-escalation in Wrexham Maelor Hospital and Ysbyty Glan Clwyd as COVID-19 levels reduce with the reopening of some closed wards in acute and community hospitals following the closure of outbreaks.

“Unfortunately, an outbreak within Ysbyty Gwynedd in late February has led to the temporarily suspension of some elective surgery, which will be reviewed on 8 March.

“The area team are maintaining escalated capacity in community hospitals to support and Wrexham Maelor Hospital have restarted essential surgery and some day-case surgery.

“A further report on the health board’s ongoing response to COVID-19 pressures is included on the Public Board agenda.

“I would like to thank all staff at BCUHB for their ongoing work to keep our communities and colleagues safe during this period of extreme operational pressure.”

The board papers show that as of Monday, the health board had administered over 270,000 Covid-19 vaccines in North Wales, using both the Pfizer vaccine and AstraZeneca vaccine.

The figure includes 43,000 second doses of the vaccine.

A reduction in supplies did materialise as expected in mid-February but is now anticipated to increase.

The health board reached the first milestone of the national vaccination plan on time in February.

It is now working on vaccinating priority groups five to nine, which mostly includes those aged between 50 to 69, by mid-April.

The health board has pledged that no-one will be left behind under the immunisation programme.

It said: “Do not worry if you think you have been missed. We will always vaccinate anyone whose priority group has been called but for whatever reason they have not received an invitation or could not attend.

“Simply contact us on 03000 840004. Alongside, we have a proactive search process being followed to target hard-to-reach populations or those we may not know about.”