Covid-19: Marseille hospitals in “great difficulty” – archyde

The fourth epidemic wave is hitting the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region hard. The leaders of the Public Assistance-Hospitals of Marseille (AP-HM) warned, Monday, August 23, of a situation of great tension. “We are one of the most impacted university hospitals in mainland France”, valued its managing director, François Crémieux, who nevertheless rules out any comparison with the extreme situation of the Antilles.

Pressure on emergencies with a 40% increase in activity compared to last year, flow of patients with Covid continuously increasing since July in hospital beds and in intensive care units: Marseille hospitals, already upset by the third wave in the spring, are facing this new epidemic rebound in a delicate period. Summer is marked by caregiver leave but also by maintaining strong hospital activity in the region which attracts many vacationers.

“We are in great difficulty, the hospital structure is on its knees”, warns Professor Jean-Luc Jouve, president of the Establishment Medical Commission, describing staff “In great pain”. In addition to 246 hospitalized Covid-19 patients, the AP-HM has 67 beds reserved for Covid patients in intensive care. That is to say a third of the open beds of the hospital group which normally has 69 beds in shifts.

Worried about the start of the school year

In two weeks, the department registered 50 additional patients in intensive care. “And this is still what is planned for the next two weeks”, assures Professor Lionel Velly, head of the intensive care unit of Timone, while the region has an incidence level twice the national average.

Difficult for the AP-HM to open more beds, due to a lack of caregivers in sufficient numbers, despite the recruitment of 300 paramedical personnel since June. Medical evacuations have started, with two patients transferred to Reims last week. Two new transfers were planned, Tuesday, August 24, to Strasbourg, including that of a 22-year-old man. Six other patients in intensive care were deemed eligible for a transfer which could take place in the next few days.

Concerns are now about the start of the school year, while the surgical activity, greatly reduced during the summer holidays, must resume. With also the departure of tourists and the return of the Marseillais who left this summer in North Africa, in countries sometimes strongly affected by the Covid, hospital officials are uncertain about the evolution of hospital admissions during the next few years. weeks. If the activity due to Covid-19 continues to increase, “We will not be able to ensure the reopening of the rooms [de bloc opératoire] “, warns Doctor Françoise Gaillat, coordinator of operating theaters.

You have 45.19% of this article to read. The rest is for subscribers only.