In the COVID care unit of the CHU de Caen, the healthcare team tries to maintain a pleasant atmosphere in the department. So that patients who will live this Christmas 2021 far from their loved ones keep their spirits up.

For ten days, Jean Luc has been hospitalized. Problems of respiratory failure for this 70-year-old patient at risk, who had yet been vaccinated in the rules. No luck, COVID and its latest variant got the better of its protective vaccines. Suddenly, for Christmas, Jean Luc finds himself isolated in a hospital room, far from his relatives.

“I’m getting better … I don’t have chest pain anymore and everyone is taking good care of me here” Jean Luc is still very tired, the hospital and constant surveillance remain the best solution for his end of year celebrations.

Under the orders of Renaud Verdon, head of infectious diseases services at the Caen University Hospital, the caregivers are keeping their spirits up. No question of further plumbing the atmosphere. Sandrine, Pauline or Charlene are tired, some have even agreed to work as reinforcements on a day off.

” Because in this service, solidarity plays its full role. Here, we are like a family, we stick together to hold on “ explain a caregiver.

“To hold” is a verb that comes up a lot in the mouths of caregivers. The COVID care unit at the CHU de Caen is not in a crisis situation. 25 patients are installed in the department, some in intensive care and there is still a little reception capacity.

” What is missing ? these are human resources … We fear above all the 5th wave which may arrive after the holidays …. With the Omicron variant, we may have less hospitalization but a greater number of people are waiting to be It is at least contaminated what one observes in England for the moment… And then there is the epidemic of influenza which begins… For the hospital personnel the health situation remains very very tense ” explains Renaud Verdon, the department head.

In the meantime, 24 hours a day, each and every one ensures their score with the patients with calm, efficiency and kindness. In the spirit of Christmas.

Report by Pauline Latrouitte, Cyril Duponchel and Emilie Desramé