The number of people who caught Covid in hospital last week reached levels not seen in more than a year, latest figures show. Public Health Wales data revealed that 264 people either "probably" or "definitely" contracted the virus in hospital for the week ending March 13.
The last time the figure was that high was the seven days to January 17, 2021, when 303 probably or definitely caught it in hospital settings. Even during the Omicron peak seen in December 2021 and January 2022 the weekly number of hospital-onset infections never reached more than 261.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB, which covers Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf, had the highest number of probable and definite hospital infections for the latest week at 59, followed by Betsi Cadwaladr UHB (58), Hywel Dda UHB (48), Cardiff and Vale UHB (42), Swansea Bay UHB (28), Aneurin Bevan UHB (22) and Powys (seven).
Read more: Coronavirus infection rates, cases and deaths for all parts of Wales on Friday, March 18
The rise in hospital-acquired infections comes at a time when case rates in Welsh communities have started to creep up again. The latest infection rate based on PCR tests for the seven days up to March 13 is 304.5 cases for every 100,000 people. This is the first time the infection rate has gone above 300 since the week beginning February 6.
As community transmission rises, health boards admit it becomes increasingly difficult to keep staff and patients in hospital safe from infection. Even with strict adherence to PPE and infection prevention guidance, hospital-acquired infections cannot be completely avoided.
Unfortunately it can lead to some vulnerable people, who were admitted to hospital for non-Covid reasons, becoming more unwell with the virus and even dying. However, death rates have come down significantly since more people have been protected with the vaccine. High case rates in hospitals and communities also inevitably leads to more NHS staff sickness, putting further pressure on already stretched services.
Similarly, the risk of transmission in hospital settings is often further exacerbated by a lack of side rooms to isolate patients, the small space available in patient bays, and difficulties providing adequate ventilation in some areas.
Thankfully, the overall number of people in hospital with Covid is still comparatively low. According to Public Health Wales, there were just 12 patients in ventilated intensive care beds with confirmed coronavirus. Seven of them were based in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UHB), three were in Betsi Cadwaladr UHB, one was in Hywel Dda UHB and one Swansea Bay UHB.
Figures are now being published showing the number of people in hospital being treated specifically for Covid rather than testing positive for the virus but being in hospital for other reasons. They show that as of March 17 there were 645 patients in acute hospitals with Covid of whom 99 were being treated for the condition.
