The NHS’ winter crisis could be about to get much worse with up to 130,000 frontline staff still not fully vaccinated despite the threat of Omicron and losing their jobs if they are not double-jabbed by April 1, new figures revealed today.
As they deal with an increasing number of Covid patients at hospital, doctors are anticipating a difficult Christmas and new year.
Hospitals in parts of England with the highest infection rates are predicting that one-third of NHS staff could be off sick by January and there are some tensions between vaccinated staff and unvaccinated colleagues, who are more likely to get the virus and face strict quarantine rules keeping them off work, even if they don’t test positive.
Piling more pressure on their vaccinated colleagues, the NHS’ own figures on staff vaccinations from December 16 show that up to 130,000 of the NHS 1.4m workers have had just one or even zero jabs. London is home to 30,000 Omicron-infected workers, making it the UK’s current epicenter of Omicron disease.
As Tony Blair branded the unjabbed ‘idiots’, unvaccinated NHS workers are not only more likely to get the illness, they must also isolate for ten days regardless of negative PCR test results if they come into close contact with a case.
The remaining 23 percent of NHS staff frontline workers have not received their boosters despite the millions of Britons who have rushed to the centres over the last month to obtain one after hearing that it would provide better protection from the spread of the virus.
Since November 11, the government has imposed a policy of “no jabs no job” in care homes. However, the NHS frontline will be exempted from the same rules until April 2022.
Figures from the NHS on employee vaccinations show that 130,000 NHS employees have received just one, or possibly zero, jabs. London has 30,000, the epicenter of Omicron in the UK.
Today’s figures by UKHSA show that Omicron confirmed cases increased in England by 69% compared to the previous day. The numbers rose from 9,427 up to 23,168
If an adult comes in direct contact with a covid, whether partially or fully vaccinated and is not able to PCR, they must isolate the case for 10 days.
Positive Covid cases are now isolated for 10 to 7 days. This allows up to 280,000 people to celebrate Christmas, as well as easing the burden of the NHS’s crippling absentee problem. However, unvaccinated contact must be quarantined for 10 days
Today, health chiefs announced that those with positive results for Covid will be allowed to leave the hospital after 7 days rather than 10. However, they must take 2 lateral flow tests during this period.
Following a change to isolation rules, over 280,000 people with coronavirus can safely celebrate Christmas with their family members.
Today, health chiefs announced that those with positive results for Covid will be allowed to leave the hospital after 7 days rather than 10. However, they must take 2 lateral flow tests during this period.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), stated that infected people can have their tests taken 24 hours apart during day 6 and 7. This is to ensure they are not quarantined if the results come back negative.
The new rules will allow the people who were positive for the virus to celebrate Christmas with their loved ones.
This has also been celebrated as a significant boost for the NHS. Health Secretary Sajid javid was reported to be concerned by the high number of employees who have been sick with the virus since the 10 day rule.
Adults who are not vaccinated and have been in direct contact with Covid should still isolate themselves for 10 days.
And if any of those people catch the virus their self-isolation period is ten days – but this has been cut to seven days for anyone with two doses of the vaccine.
South-east London’s King’s College Hospital medical staff said that while they still hope for a reduction in the number of Omicron-related admissions, the hospital is feeling pressure from Covid-related staff absences.
Staff who have either been positive for a test or were not able to be tested are the ones that are absent.
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Professor Clive Kay stated that 600 to 14,000 of King’s College Hospital’s staff were off sick because of Covid-related absences. This trust includes King’s College Hospital (King’s College Hospital), Princess Royal University Hospital in Bromley/Orpington Hospitals and Queen Mary’s Hospital.
Nearly 170 coronavirus cases are being treated by King’s College, the Princess Royal Hospital and other hospitals as of Wednesday. That’s compared to the 60 patients who were admitted at the end November.
A total of 102 people are currently in the general bed and 18 in critical at King’s. 45 are also in general, and 3 are at Princess Royal.
This trust saw 776 Covid-infected patients during its second wave, which took place in January 2021.
NHS England separate statistics show that 1,904 Londoners were hospitalized with Covid-19 on December 21. This is the highest level since March 2, and 41% more than a week before.
However, it’s still well below the second wave peak which had 7,917 people in hospital on January 18.
According to Dr Tom Best (53), a consultant at King’s College’s critical care unit, there has been no surge in coronavirus patients in this unit despite Covid cases rising in capital. However, Best said that the numbers of critical care patients rise following an increase in hospital admissions.
According to him, the PA news agency has reported that the coronavirus levels in critical care are fairly stable. However, there’s a lot more unknowns at this time and it is creating a lot anxiety as we see a huge rise in the number of cases. [due]To the Omicron version.
“So, we’re bracing for significant impacts. Add to this staff sickness which is an indication of the high community prevalence at the moment.
According to him, 20-25 percent of the patients in critical care are suffering from Covid. Meanwhile, 5% of staff working in critical care – twice as many as usual – have Covid-related absenteeisms.
He stated that this presents additional difficulties for staff. “We must ask staff to fill in for shifts on short notice, and it’s very difficult.
“There will be times when resources are scarce, and staff must work extra hard to provide support for each other. While we do everything in our power to manage it, there are still significant obstacles.
Professor Kay stated that staff were not happy about the current staff situation. The Christmas of last Christmas was disastrous for many staff. Unfortunately, it’s coming back again during the Christmas period. Although the staff is very professional, that will be challenging.
“The King’s staff, as well as the entire NHS and Social Care have done an incredible job in the past couple of years. They will keep doing so.”
Dr Laura Jane Smith (39), a consultant on respiratory in King’s Covid Wards said that the shortages and the “relentless nature” of Covid are weighing down medics.
PA reported that she said: “There are several different challenges we face, one being staff shortages. That’s been a problem especially this week.”
The other problems are that working with PPE is still difficult. Communication with seriously ill patients using the PPE can limit our ability to show empathy and care for those going through severe illnesses.
“There is much to cheer for, and the outlook is brighter than it was last January.
“We now have two Covid patient wards in the hospital. In January, we took over the entire hospital. It’s due to both the new drug treatments and the recent vaccination program.
According to her, most people admitted to hospitals with the coronavirus virus aren’t vaccinated.
Some have been given one or multiple doses and others will need additional care. However, the vast majority of our patients aren’t vaccinated and are suffering from serious respiratory problems that require advanced medical care.
Professor Kay stated that the hospital has a good understanding of Covid and is prepared for surges.
He stated that the organization is being managed in a structured manner, taking decisions with a clear and methodical approach, and then responding to changing situations day-by-day.