An Aberdeen health expert has warned a new wave of coronavirus has hit Scotland with hospital admissions beginning to rise.
Jillian Evans says the virus is circulating round communities again which could put further pressure on hospitals.
“The increases that we’re seeing is the result of what we could expect at this time of year with people being indoors more and weaning immunity from the vaccination,” she said.
“What we don’t know is how big it’s going to get and how long it will last.”
Flu is also a ‘big worry’
Rising numbers of patients have been admitted to hospital with Covid-19 in Grampian over the past week.
Jillian, NHS Grampian’s head of intelligence, said there were currently 29 patients in hospital from across the region with coronavirus.
“The admissions have started to rise,” Jillian says. “They’re across the ages, but most of them are older people.”
Earlier this week Health Secretary Humza Yousaf urged people to get vaccinated to protect themselves from a new wave of coronavirus.
Hospital admissions across Scotland increased by 12.6% last week.
Jillian said flu was also a “big worry” for older people with the seasonal virus returning with a vengeance in Australia this year.
Measures to restrict the number of Covid-19 cases throughout the pandemic also helped reduce the spread of flu, but now the respiratory illness has returned.
New wave of coronavirus: How will the health service cope over winter?
Jillian says four factors will influence how well the NHS copes over the winter months:
- The number of people admitted to hospital because they’re more vulnerable to illnesses over winter
- Whether the number of patients admitted with respiratory infections are “high and fast” or need managed throughout the winter months
- How bad the cost of living crisis will impact on residents whose health may suffer living in colder homes
- Supply pressures – staff and the number of beds in both hospitals and care homes
Jillian said the NHS has preparations in place for all scenarios.
But she added: “If one of them hits it’s bad enough; if they all hit at the same time it almost doesn’t bear thinking about.”
She stressed it’s important everyone plays their part by thinking about how they will keep themselves well over the winter months.
There are benefits available and third sector organisations that can help people struggling with the rising cost of living.
And there are steps you can take to help protect yourself from the new wave of coronavirus and the winter flu.
“The public health advice is to wash your hands, wear a mask if you’re in a busy indoor setting when flu is circulating and stay at home when you’re unwell,” Jillian said.
