With Lithuania’s number of new daily infections hitting an anti-record of 3 331, a hospital in the town of Alytus is unable to admit Covid-19 patients unless their health condition is critical, Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT reports.
Earlier this week, Vidas in Alytus, southern Lithuania, was sick the coronavirus for 13 days, according to his stepson, Povilas Šklėrius. On Monday, October 18, the man’s health worsened. «He had difficulty breathing, was coughing a lot, had a fever, felt severe leg and back pain,» Šklėrius said to ELTA news agency. «Our family doctor said we should call an ambulance. When they came, doctors decided that a more detailed examination was needed.»
However, when Vidas arrived at Alytus S Kudirka hospital, he was sent home. «Doctors said that while he was standing on his own two feet, he could not be admitted to the hospital,» Šklėrius said.
Hospital unable to admit every Covid-10 case
Dmitrijus Kačiurinas, deputy director of the Alytus hospital, explained that Covid-19 situation in the town is very serious. Out of 70 Covid-19 beds at the hospital, 62 are currently full, with five out of seven ICU beds also taken. «Therefore, we are only hospitalising those patients who are in a critical condition and need oxygen therapy or lung ventilation,» Kačiurinas noted.
Read also: Latest Covid-19 cases in Baltics. 2 599 in Latvia, 3 331 in Lithuania, 1 347 in Estonia
He added, however, that all patients who arrive at the hospital must be registered and assisted, if necessary. The hospital representative was unaware, patient Vidas was not inspected at the hospital and urged the man to come once more.
The article originally appeared on LRT English: https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1524488/man-with-covid-turned-back-from-hospital-as-lithuania-saves-beds-for-critically-ill
Hospital in Lithuania says only admitting Covid-19 patients in critical condition
