Covid misinformation in Fermanagh 'disappointing' and 'difficult'

Dr. Monaghan was asked by this paper about the impact of such misinformation and rumours regarding Covid-19, and how the amount of Covid patients in the SWAH impacts on staff.

Addressing the issue, Dr. Monaghan described such disinformation and untruths as “disappointing”.

She continued: “It’s difficult, but it is particularly difficult for the nurses and doctors throughout the hospital, because we are all now seeing every patient [while we are dressed] in gloves, aprons and visors, and that human contact that we had before [Covid], there is that sort of barrier [to it now].

“But for those nurses and doctors who are working in the Covid ward, in full PPE, wearing it for hours and hours, dealing with the exhaustion and the heat, it’s very disappointing that somebody would say, ‘Covid doesn’t exist’, or ‘There is no Covid in that hospital’, because Covid-19 is real – Covid is here.”

Dr. Monaghan emphasised the experience of those who have had the virus.

“All you have to do is see the testaments from patients who have survived, or sadly from the families of patients who have succumbed to Covid-19.”

An exact breakdown in figures of vaccinated and unvaccinated Covid patients in SWAH was unavailable during The Impartial Reporter’s interview with Dr. Monaghan, but she emphasised that the sickest patients in the Covid ward were unvaccinated, echoing similar medical reports increasingly presented at a domestic and international level.

Anecdotally, she continued: “From my own experience, and from listening to my colleagues, the unvaccinated patients are the sickest patients, and that is a major concern for us.”

Speaking on the general feeling within the hospital, Dr. Monaghan said: “Morale is low; many staff have suspended their leave in order to fill the gaps, and staff have gone above and beyond what would be normal, and these are not normal times.”

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