Southern hospitals continue to be challenged by frontline staff catching covid-19, the start of flu season, and increased demand for services resulting in “significant pressure” according to Southern District Health Board’s chief operating officer.  

Southern District Health Board (SDHB) chief operating officer (COO) Hamish Brown said the pressure on beds has eased slightly on Southland Hospital but remains high for Dunedin hospital following last weekend’s busy time.

“However there remains high numbers of covid-19 positive patients in hospital across the district. Pressure around capacity and staffing remain a concern.

“Southland Hospital has expanded its capacity to safely treat covid-19 positive patients. Transfers to Dunedin will still be undertaken where it is in the best interest of either the individual patient, or the hospital system as a whole. 

“The decision is often made because the patient requires a service that is delivered at Dunedin hospital,” Hamish said. 

SDHB COO Hamish Brown. PHOTO: SDHB

Hamish was unable to supply The Central App with definite numbers of how many surgeries have been postponed due to patients having covid-19 infection. 

“Acute surgeries have continued for patients with covid-19 where there is appropriate clinical need, with the necessary protocols in place to keep staff and patients safe.”

On the question of if Southern has reached its peak of covid-19 cases Dr Hywel Lloyd, SDHB covid-19 response lead said they are expecting to have proportionately higher background rates of covid for the winter months in the district. 

“There is the chance that we will see large numbers of covid-19 and influenza infections occurring over the same time period. 

"I would recommend anyone who is due their booster shot or who is eligible for a free influenza vaccine to go get it now. You can safely receive both vaccines at once.”

Today's numbers for covid-19 for Central were 32 new positive cases, and a total of 206 active cases.

There were 35 people in hospital with covid-19 in Southern at 8am on May 26. Twenty four were in Dunedin (one of these is in ICU), ten people were in Southland and one person in Waitaki hospital.

On May 24 there were 14 patients in Southland hospital with covid-19, 16 in Dunedin hospital and three in Waitaki hospital (33 total cases in hospital). Since then there has been a drop for Southland and Waitaki but an increase of eight new covid cases in Dunedin hospital.

The Ministry of Health reported 484 new covid-19 cases and 3677 total cases in Southern on Friday, May 27. Of the 25 additional deaths reported, two were from Southern.

Map of distribution of covid-19 cases in Southern for May 27. PHOTO: SDHB

Southland hospital medical, surgical and rehabilitation wards reopened to visitors on Wednesday May 25, following a closed period for visitors to protect vulnerable patients (from May 16 -24) after multiple covid-19 exposures.

A spokesperson for SDHB said they appreciated people's patience, understanding and support of health care teams working to keep the community safe.