There was a significant rise in the number of Covid-19 patients at Addenbrooke’s Hospital at the beginning of January, new data shows, with the number of Covid bed occupancies more than doubling between January 1st and 12th, from 107 to 226 beds. 

In a letter seen by Varsity, it was stated that 241 patients were in Addenbrooke’s Hospital with Covid-19 on Sunday (17/01). The three-day average for the number of Covid-19 patients admitted to the hospital last week (week commencing 04/01) was said to be 25 per day, which has since fallen to 23.7 per day. This letter added that the hospital was expecting to see a decrease in cases and admissions in the near future.

The letter nonetheless revealed plans for Addenbrooke’s to hold 300-500 Covid patients, with the hospital recently opening an additional three Covid wards. It also stated that Addenbrooke’s had 89 patients in intensive care beds last Friday (15/01), which it calls “unprecedented”, adding that it is “very close to the maximum we can take”. 

The hospital has subsequently rescheduled some non-emergency surgeries and face-to-face appointments, with other outpatient appointments taking place virtually. An instruction has also been issued to “not come to the hospital site” unless to attend the Emergency Department or an appointment. 

In a second letter seen by Varsity, Dr Mike More, Chair of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, confirmed that “covid numbers are higher now than they were at the spring peak, and [the hospital has] responded by doubling our critical care capacity.” 

Dr More’s letter also discusses the predictive modelling used by the infectious disease teams in hospitals across Cambridge, allowing the hospital to be “prepared for what may be around the corner.”  

Daniel Zeichner, MP for Cambridge, told Varsity that the “89 patients in critical care at Addenbrooke’s...is more than the entire capacity of ICU was this time last year,” and praised hospital staff for doing a “phenomenal job in very difficult circumstances.” 

Zeichner extended his “thanks [...] to all the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, including the 250 medical students who are now working there,” and added that the “work of AstraZenica scientists in creating a vaccine in record time” provided “light at the end of the tunnel.”

Over 10,000 vaccine doses have also been administered at the Addenbrooke’s hub (as of 17/01), which comes as it was announced that over-75s, over-70s and the clinically vulnerable, priority groups three and four, would begin to receive the vaccine from the start of this week (18/01.)

Cambridge City Council reported 620 cases between the 3rd and 9th of January, as a further 33,355 cases and record 1,610 daily deaths within 28 days of a positive test were recorded in the UK today (19/01).