Hospitals are facing a new massive influx of patients that they are struggling to contain.

In Saint-Denis, the town hall therefore decided to provide caregivers with a municipal hostel, temporarily transformed into a field hospital.

Nine patients will eventually be admitted there.

REPORTAGE

Hospitalizations and deaths continue to multiply in the second wave of the coronavirus epidemic which affects France.

In the past 24 hours, 472 patients have died and about the same number entered intensive care.

Hospitals are at bay and once again face difficulties in taking care of all the patients.

In Saint-Denis, in the Parisian suburbs, the municipality is trying to overcome this problem by transforming one of its buildings into a field hospital.

Since yesterday, the Auberge des associations et des entreprises has been welcoming patients.

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More and more frequent field hospitals

This old manor house usually receives buffets and seminars;

his mission is now quite different.

But for caregivers, the transition is not easy either.

Thierry, the project manager, explains: "Everyone is a little under stress. But we have about fifteen rooms, we can accommodate medical beds if necessary. We therefore feel particularly useful in the long term. "

Three patients are currently being accommodated in this converted hostel.

In all, nine patients will arrive during the week, often sick at the end of treatment.

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The establishment of field hospitals accelerated due to the second wave of the epidemic.

This is one of the solutions to free up intensive care beds: already raised from 5,100 to 5,800 after the first epidemic wave, their number should increase further since the government ultimately wants France to have 7,000 beds.

Help discouraged caregivers

In Saint-Denis, the transfer of patients thus frees up beds in the hospital, but above all relieves caregivers who may be discouraged, according to Yohan Mourier, deputy director of the establishment.

“Many caregivers, unfortunately, left the region, or even changed jobs at the end of the first wave,” he explains.

"The challenge is really to be able to recover a little more staff."

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In addition to the building, the town hall provides meals for the sick, explains Katy Bontinck, first municipal assistant.

"The municipal hostel was empty lately, since closed with the health crisis. So as long as necessary, we will maintain this device, this is what is a priority," she says.

And it could go on.

The device is scheduled at least until December 1, but everyone here is preparing to extend it for several weeks.