https://img.rasset.ie/0003eb1e-500.jpg — The number of empty hospital beds is dropping

Hospital vacant bed numbers drop alongside virus cases

25 May 2020, 08:43 by Fergal Bowers, https://www.facebook.com/rtenews/

New figures show that while the number of Covid-19 cases in hospitals continue to reduce, so too are the number of vacant general beds.

There are 521 patients in acute hospitals with confirmed, or suspected coronavirus, the latest Health Service Executive Operational Report shows. Of these, 303 are confirmed cases.

There are 126 critical care beds available however some hospitals like St Vincent's, Connolly, Tullamore and Portlaoise are currently listed as having no CCU beds free.

There are 49 patients in CCU beds with confirmed Covid-19, plus 20 suspected cases.

The number of vacant general beds is down from over 2,200 to 735. The data is up to last night.

Meanwhile, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has revealed that 50 patients are waiting for hospital beds this morning, according to its latest Trolley Watch.

There are 49 admitted patients waiting in emergency departments with one patient on a ward.

This is nine fewer patients than a week ago when 59 patients were on trolleys awaiting a bed.