Originally, the government sought to bring down the number of new infections and to ease the pressure on hospitals through its package of restrictions at the end of November, before there might be an uptick after the Christmas holidays. However, it fell short.
On the contrary, the Centre Hospitalier du Nord in Ettelbruck was forced to make the decision to solely admit emergencies and administer urgent treatments only. Since Tuesday several operation rooms in Ettelbruck and the entire surgical wing in Wiltz have been forced to close.
The hospital in Wiltz had to take in too many Covid-19 patients over the last few days and did not have any other option but to postpone non-essential treatments, according to hospital director Dr Paul Wirtgen.
Furthermore, he says that new infections are very high indeed and keep rising. Personnel in intensive care units are reaching a dangerous level of fatigue.
The staff of the Centre Hospitalier du Nord are currently treating 65 Covid patients, 12 of which are in intensive care. This is dangerously close to the maximum capacity of ICU beds, which stands at just 16. According to Dr Wirtgen, his personnel are working under an enormous amount of both physical and psychological stress. Health workers need to work while continuously wearing personal protective gear. One should also note the psychological impact of the shifts in the intensive care unit where workers see the severity of Covid-19 on a daily basis.
Dr Wirtgen further emphasises how there is no miracle cure for the disease, despite doctors having more treatment options compared to the first wave earlier this year. According to him, it would be easier on medical personnel to bear the brunt of severe Covid cases if they were given some days off from time to time.
This has been cited as the primary reason why all non-urgent surgeries have been cancelled until 4 January 2021.
When one scratches the surface, it becomes clear how severely Covid-19 has impacted the everyday running of hospitals, which is why the director of the Centre Hospitalier du Nord is hoping infections will start to go down soon.
Dr Wirtgen points out how frustrated hospital personnel are with the wider public who continue to think the situation is not severe, given that most everyday activities are still permitted. Those who work in hospitals are aware, however, that the situation is getting worse, with cases increasing. He is urging people to take the disease seriously and to respect social-distancing measures.
Asked whether the government should consider tighter restrictions, Dr Wirtgen declined to answer.
