ARCHIVED - Murcia hospitals postponing non-urgent appointments

The move is designed to reduce the workload of the health service during the coronavirus crisis

As the workload being placed borne by the regional health service of Murcia (SMS) increases due to the expansion of the coronavirus pandemic, instructions have been given to hospitals in the Region to begin postponing non-urgent appointments as of next week.

The aim is to ensure that members of the public expose themselves as little as possible to the risks entailed in visiting hospitals at present, and the recommendation is that appointments be re-scheduled for new dates after the end of March. Urgent appointments will not be affected, but in their eagerness to comply with the recommendations some hospitals had already begun to implement them by Wednesday afternoon.

As a result of various measures already taken, including the recommendation that potential coronavirus patients call 112 or 900 121212 rather than visiting A&E units and the restrictions on visitor numbers, it is reported that hospitals in Murcia have been noticeably less crowded over the last week than is usually the case.

The latest news is that 22 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the Region of Murcia.

Click here for the latest official figures regarding the coronavirus epidemic in Spain and the measures implemented by the national and regional governments.

Patients diagnosed with Covid-19 in Murcia

1 - A 27-year-old woman who contracted the virus in Madrid while attending the ARCO contemporary arts fair. In isolation at home.

2 and 3 - A 5-month-old baby and her mother, both of whom had travelled to and from Madrid by bus, returning to Totana. In the Arrixaca hospital in El Palmar.

4 – A 28-year-old friend of the first patient who lives in Valencia but had gone to Madrid with her friend and was diagnosed positive in Murcia. In isolation at home.

5 – A woman who also contracted the virus in Madrid. In isolation at home.

6 and 7 – Two men aged 70 and 26 who were infected in Madrid. In isolation at home.

8 – A man who is believed to have contracted the virus from a contact in Alicante, who originally contracted the virus in Madrid.

9 - A 40-year-old woman with "mild "symptoms who is believed to have contracted the virus in Madrid.

10 – Female Erasmus student who returned from Italy to Cartagena.

11 – Unidentified female patient who was infected in Madrid.

12 to 17 – 6 new cases reported on Wednesday including two in whom the virus was contracted within the Region of Murcia.

What to do if you are in the Region of Murcia and believe you may have contracted the virus

The regional government has set up a special helpline to supply information to members of the public (900 121212), and also urges people to call the 112 emergency services line if they suspect that they may have contracted the virus rather than going straight to hospital or to a medical centre. Medical staff will be sent to your home to test for the virus.

The Region’s public hospitals have limited the number of visitors to just one per patient.

Sensible precautions

The advice being issued to members of the public by medical authorities all over the world coincides on the following points:

- Wash hands frequently with either soap and water or a sanitiser gel

- Catch coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues – and throw the tissues away immediately after use before immediately washing your hands!

- If you don’t have a tissue, use your sleeve – and wash the item of clothing used at the next opportunity

- AVOID touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

- AVOID close contact with people who are unwell

- Don´t panic!

Image: Fernando López Miras, president of the regional government of Murcia