HUG wants to keep 130 Covid beds in the long term

The Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) want to keep 130 beds in the long term for the treatment of Covid-19 cases. A hundred additional caregivers will be needed. As of Monday, consultations and non-emergency operations will resume gradually.

The HUG have established a number of beds, 130, ‘to be maintained over time’ in the face of the coronavirus, explains their medical director Arnaud Perrier, quoted on Saturday in the Tribune de Genève. According to him, if a second important wave was observed, the system could always be increased.

Another anticipation is that the capacity of intensive care will be 48 places, against 30 before the start of the pandemic. Other establishments in the canton will also preserve dozens of Covid beds.

For HUG, the slow return to care for all patients will start gradually on Monday, as the Federal Council has authorized. According to Mr. Perrier, the scenario is to reach three-quarters of stationary and ambulatory activities by the summer, before the full benefits in September.

It is particularly ‘imperative’ to plan interventions that have been delayed by several weeks. But the operating theater will not be fully active before May 4. For patients, Covid screening will be carried out the day before the intervention.

Call for additional resources

Similarly, consultations, usually 5000 per day on an outpatient basis, will only be possible for people who have calibrated them in advance. For everyone, masks and hygiene measures will be the rule.

According to figures announced by the Directorate General of Health, the decline in the number of people hospitalized in the canton due to the coronavirus continues. These were less than 280 on Friday, including 26 in intensive care.

This decrease will allow nursing staff to take vacations. “We will do everything so that everyone can rest,” says Mr. Perrier. “But it is clear that we will quickly need additional resources.”

These will be essential for the heavy care of Covid patients over time. A hundred caregivers will be missing, explains the medical director.

/ ATS

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