Respiratory virus worsens overcrowding in hospital

A respiratory virus with symptoms of a common cold is stretching resources at Mater Dei Hospital, which is at almost full capacity, The Sunday Times of Malta has learnt. Although incidence of the flu is on the same level as previous years, general practitioners have seen a sudden spike in patients suffering from the Respiratory Syncytial Virus, which is one of some 200 viruses that produce symptoms of a common cold. The Day Care Unit, which usually has 15 patients, had 44 patients, while corridors around the Emergency Department were nearly all occupied, according to sources. They said there was one corridor, which takes up to 15 beds, which was still available for admissions over the weekend. Read more in The Sunday Times of Malta.