Regional Health Department: 84% of oxygen outlets are in use in healthcare facilities of the Vitebsk region

19/10/20210 views

84% of oxygen supply points are in use in healthcare facilities of the Vitebsk region out of the total number, as reported to journalists before a meeting on the epidemic situation and measures taken to counteract the spread of coronavirus by Mikhail Vishnevetsky, Head of the Main Department for Healthcare of the Regional Executive Committee.

The Vitebsk region continues to see an increase in patients, and beds are being deployed. "Hospitalization has slightly stabilized over the past week, but it still exceeds discharges. There is a sufficient number of severe patients in intensive care compared to previous waves. About 90% of resuscitators are involved in treating coronavirus patients. All districts are involved; the regional clinical hospital, which handles all emergency care, maternity hospital No. 2 in Vitebsk assisting women, and the regional oncology dispensary remain relatively unaffected," said the head of the regional healthcare department.

The average length of hospital stay for patients is 8-10 days. In intensive care, people stay longer, of course. As a rule, they require connection to oxygen or ventilators. Vaccinated individuals do get sick, but in the Vitebsk region, this accounts for 2-3% of all hospitalized patients. Only a few patients end up in intensive care, and they have not reached the stage of requiring ventilators or experiencing fatal outcomes. All medical personnel are working under increased workload. Patients who cannot be managed in the district are transferred to the regional level.

"All district hospitals are, to a greater or lesser extent, occupied with COVID patients. Elective care in all inpatient facilities has been practically halted. If it exists at all, it is at a minimal level where the situation is slightly easier," noted Mikhail Vishnevetsky. "Currently, about 84% of all oxygen supply points are in use in the region. They are sufficient, but also heavily utilized by patients who are recovering from severe cases and require prolonged oxygen support, as well as those who are just admitted and whose saturation levels drop, necessitating oxygen. A large number of people do not need it, but their illness is also severe."

Students and faculty of the Vitebsk State Medical University are assisting medical professionals in hospitals. "Young people worked in healthcare facilities during the summer as well; currently, over 200 students are employed in polyclinics, ambulance stations, and hospitals. There are medical teams operating in district centers. We constantly liaise with the healthcare department, and we deploy where specific assistance is needed. Faculty members visit hospitals and consult with colleagues," said the university's rector, Anatoly Shchastny.

As of October 15, over 11.6 thousand beds were allocated for COVID-19 patients in hospitals in the Vitebsk region. The branch of the "Zhelezniki" rehabilitation center is operating for the follow-up treatment of coronavirus pneumonias, and individuals undergo rehabilitation after COVID-19 at the regional hospital for disabled veterans of the Great Patriotic War.

Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by