On the frontline of Covid-19: ‘When they come in, they are sweating, confused and thrashing because they are so oxygen-deprived’

As the number of Covid-19 patients in ICUs exceeds the peak of the first wave, those on the frontline struggle to cope with the surge – and live in fear of what the next few weeks may bring

Dr Michael O’Dwyer of the ICU unit in St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin: concern about rising ICU patient numbers Picture:Bryan Meade

Of all the new Covid-19 statistical records shattered over the last few weeks, perhaps the most serious was broken a few days ago. On Wednesday, the number of Covid-19 patients in Irish intensive care units (ICU) rose to 172, exceeding the peak of the first wave of 160.

It didn’t stop there. By Friday, that figure had reached 184 and was continuing to grow, with the HSE projecting 400 Covid-19 patients in ICU this month ...