Around 50 people sought care at the National University Hospital because of ice-related accidents on Sunday. RÚV reports that several people had to be admitted and some required surgery for their injuries. With resources limited, however, there was a wait for the operating room.
There was a great deal of snow and sleet in the capital over the weekend, and the fire department’s ambulance was on constant call Sunday afternoon. The situation was no less difficult at the hospital.
“There’s unfortunately been a great deal of stress on the ER today,” remarked Hjalti Már Björnsson, chief physician in the hospital’s ER. “There have been a handful of serious injuries, broken bones and head injuries. Some people have needed to be admitted and some will need to undergo surgery.”
The hospital has already been under a great deal of stress as a result of COVID-19. As of Friday, there were 43 patients in hospital due to COVID-19, eight of whom were in intensive care. In addition, some 140 hospital staff were in isolation due to COVID-19 infection.
