360 people lost their lives with COVID-19 in the South-East in the four months of the last winter.
That's what delegates from today's HSE Southern Regional Forum have heard, which saw 21 nominated representatives from across the South-East make points to the Executive on their operations in the region.
According to HSE statistics, given in a Tweet by Waterford Councillor Damien Geoughegan, 360 people lost their lives in January and February 2021, when the country grappled with the most difficult pre-vaccine period of the pandemic.
However, a HSE spokesperson has corrected the figure, saying the 360 figure actually covers a period of November 2020 through to February 2021.
The last six months since the rollout of the vaccination has seen 46 people pass away with the virus, which is a reduction of over 91% on a month-by-month basis.
97% in the region have now had at least one dose of the vaccine, while 94% have had a second dose, and are considered 'fully vaccinated'. However a booster programme for all ages is currently being rolled out by the HSE, with booster walk-in centres open in all five counties for those aged over 60, or working in healthcare sectors.
Those who haven't yet received their first or second dose are also being invited to come forward, as HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid said today that the small number of unvaccinated people is having a "highly disproportionate" effect on hospitals.
Just around 7 per cent of the adult population is unvaccinated but accounts for 48% of admissions to hospitals, and a half of those in ICU because of Covid-19.
Some info from today's HSE Regional Forum.
From June to now, 46 deaths from covid in the south-east (Wat, Wex, Tipp, KK, Car).
Last surge (Jan/Feb), 360 deaths in the S-east from Covid.
The vaccination/booster roll-out is really effective.
VACCINES WORK! pic.twitter.com/Ha4uvAwQtK— Damien Geoghegan (@damiengeoghegan) December 2, 2021
The forum also heard about issues concerning Our Lady's Hospital complex in Cashel, a helicopter landing pad at University Hospital Waterford, and the provision of 24/7 Cardiac Care at the same facility, with Hospital Group and Community Health Organisation management also represented at the meeting, which took place virtually earlier this afternoon.
The South-East committee meeting will now take place on 7th December 2021 to discuss findings from the forum.
