Coronavirus: Famagusta Hospital 100 per cent full on Monday

By Stavros Nikolaou

Famagusta general hospital, which operates as a Reference Hospital for patients with coronavirus, is 100 per cent full, with all 75 beds taken, the Cyprus News Agency reported on Monday.

State hospitals are struggling to cope with a surge in admissions following a spike in new cases last month. Last night, there were a total of 303 coronavirus patients in state medical facilities.

Amalia Hadjiyianni, Scientific Director of the Larnaca-Famagusta general hospitals, said 75 patients are currently being treated at the Reference Hospital, nine of whom are in the high dependency unit, as they need closer monitoring. Also, three patients are intubated, while the Hospital has reached 100 per cent of its capacity.

“The youngest patient is 23 years old and the oldest is 90, with the average age of patients being 59 years. Of the patients being treated at the hospital, only eight have been vaccinated,” she said.

Regarding changes to profile of patients admitted to the hospital, Hadjiyianni said that there has been some change, as it now mainly people aged between 50 and 70.

“Patients are suffering from severe pneumonia, while the deterioration in their respiratory function is rapid, resulting in many people having to be intubated.”

She also explained that “while patients are in good health, they suddenly need a high concentration of oxygen and almost every day a person needs intubation. The disease is progressing rapidly with the result that many patients have to be intubated and consequently there is an increase in the hospitalisations in the Intensive Care Units “.

She noted that people who have not been vaccinated are being intubated and urged the public to get vaccinated.

“Everyone should seize the opportunity with the operation of the Walk-In Vaccination Centres to be vaccinated since they can simply go to the Centre without having to make an appointment in advance.”

She also noted that “among the patients being treated at the Reference Hospital are some tourists. At the same time, the Eden Rehabilitation Centre in Tersefanou hosts 98 people, who will remain there until their complete negativity”.

Hadjiyianni also said that the disease does not behave differently depending on whether the patient is young or older. “The Delta mutation also has a higher risk of disease and transmission, while the only protection remains vaccination and adherence to the measures,” she said.