South Island ICU boost requested

South Island ICU boost requested
Christchurch Hospital has put in a bid for extra ICU beds. (Photo: File)
Oliver Lewis
The Ministry of Health has yet to make a decision on a business case to boost South Island intensive care unit (ICU) capacity.Two covid-19 cases were detected in Christchurch on Wednesday, with a further two cases reported on Friday. The government has so far decided to hold the city at alert level 2.The Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) has 36 physical intensive care beds at Christchurch hospital, including eight paediatric beds, in the new Waipapa building. However, to use them, ICU beds also require trained staff.The district health bo...