15 hours Ago
Vulnerable people in Bolton are being urged to have the booster Covid jab as cases spike in the North West - with the borough amongst the worst affected by the virus. NHS bosses put out an urgent warning this week after the number of patients being admitted to hospital due to Covid-19 has increased. Bolton recorded an average of 19 hospital beds taken up by Covid patients.
This is the second spike of the virus in the UK after what the NHS have called a "quad-demic" of viruses which put services under pressure during winter. The "quad-demic" was a spike in cases of four illnesses – Covid, flu, RSV and norovirus. Taken together these four led to 600,000 hospital beds being taken up nationally – more than the population of Malta.
Now the NHS has warned that hospitals are continuing to come under pressure with 94.1 per cent of adult beds occupied. In the North West, an average of 162 hospital beds were taken up every day last week (up to March 30) by people suffering with Covid – the highest figure since early January.
Bolton was one of the worst hit areas in the North West, with an average of 19 hospital beds taken up by Covid patients in the same time period. Only two NHS trusts had a higher number of Covid patients, Manchester University NHS Trust (34) and Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (20). Hospital staff have warned that the virus can still be "highly dangerous" and have started their s pring campaign to vaccinate the people most at risk.
Dr Michael Gregory, regional medical director for NHS England North West, said that the winter had been "particularly challenging". He said this was because of the "'quad-demic' of seasonal viruses" and that they are still circulating in Spring. He said: "I’d like to say a huge thank you to our NHS staff working in the region, who go above and beyond every day to ensure patients are seen and treated and that they receive the highest standards of care possible.
" READ MORE: NHS Bowel Cancer screening service to tour Bolton this month READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers hold screening sessions for AAA READ MORE: Dad's warning over spiders in the UK after false widow bite READ MORE: NHS opens booking for spring Covid vaccination in North West Dr Gregory warned of the danger that Covid-19 still poses and encouraged those who can to get vaccinated. He said: "The Covid-19 virus can be highly dangerous and even life-threatening, particularly for older people and those with a weakened immune system, so I’d urge everyone eligible to come forward for the vaccination as soon as possible. "If you need medical help or advice and you’re unsure what to do, NHS 111 can help to signpost to appropriate NHS services.
"This will mean that A&E and 999 services have more time to deal with serious and life-threatening conditions, such as heart attacks, strokes, breathing problems, and serious accidents." The NHS is reaching out to adults over 75, care home residents, and individuals with compromised immune systems. These groups are considered to be at a higher risk from the Covid-19 virus.
Appointments are available every day at various locations, including GP practices and pharmacies, and will continue to run until Tuesday, June 17. The NHS will send out millions of invites via text, email, and NHS App messages to remind those who qualify to step forward. However, people can book their vaccination appointments even if they have not received an invite.
Efforts are being made to reach those who find it difficult to leave their homes, with visits being organised for care homes and housebound patients. Those who receive all their care at home should contact their GP to arrange a home visit for the vaccine. People yet to receive any doses are encouraged to take part in the spring offer to safeguard against severe illness.
.
