106 patient admitted to Covid centre this month

By LULU MARK
THE Nightingale Coronavirus (Covid-19) Centre at the Taurama Aquatic Centre has admitted 106 patients since its reopening on this month (Oct 1), St John Ambulance chief executive officer Matt Cannon says.
“In the 62 days it was opened during the surge earlier this year, 89 patients were treated but the current surge which includes the Delta variant, 106 people have been admitted in just 22 days and the number is increasing,” he added.
Cannon said as of Friday morning, 44 patients were admitted at the centre, three were severe, 14 moderate and 27 mild.
“All the moderate patients are on oxygen and the oxygen supply is still sufficient to meet the current and expected demand,” he said.
“We are using up to 30 oxygen cylinders daily.
“The challenges we are facing are shortages of nursing and medical staff to cope with the increasing number of patients.
“More than 50 per cent of all the emergencies that St John responded to were Covid-19 patients.
“What we are seeing is that the unvaccinated are suffering greater. The illness is more severe than those who have been vaccinated,” Cannon said.
“If you are fully vaccinated, your illness is milder.”
Cannon urged the public to get vaccinated immediately to protect themselves and others.