Blackpool Victoria Hospital sets up 'virtual ward' as number of Covid patients rises once again

Medics will work with GPs to look after as many as 60 people on a 'virtual ward', deputy medical director at the Whinney Heys Road hospital Dr Grahame Goode said.

"We cannot become complacent," he said. "There's general good news in that we are coping exceptionally well with these patients."

But he added: "The system is highly pressured. The emergency department is very busy. The flow into wards is somewhat compromised ... but everyone is working really hard to ensure people stay safe.

"Another innovation which we've done with our GP partners in primary care is a virtual Covid ward.

"There are a number of patients who are monitored in their own home - with oxygen saturations - and visits from the primary care teams.

"We have the capacity to manage up to 60 patients in the community rather than being in hospital.

"This is a really big bonus for us to get people out but managed safely in the community."

The Gazette has contacted health chiefs across the resort for more information about the scheme.

It comes after a rise in the number of inpatients being treated for the coronavirus, with 166 in beds today, up from 144 last Wednesday and 159 a fortnight ago.

There are also 18 in intensive care, up from 12 last week, Dr Goode said in a public briefing this afternoon.

Some 27 people have died in the past seven days after testing positive for the disease, compared to 29 in the week before.

The town's infection rate has also fallen for a third week running, The Gazette reported yesterday.