Five cancer patients test positive for covid in outbreak at hospital in Northern Ireland

Five cancer patients test positive for covid in outbreak at hospital in Northern Ireland where 20 staff were forced into self-isolation

  • Twenty healthcare workers at Craigavon Hospital are self-isolating as precaution
  • Five cancer patients tested positive for coronavirus at the Co Armagh hospital 
  • Three staff tested positive for coronavirus, Southern Health Trust confirmed 
  • The Trust said the infection may have been transferred in a ‘social setting’

Five cancer patients have tested positive for Covid-19 at the same hospital in Northern Ireland where 20 staff were forced into self-isolation.

Craigavon Area Hospital in Co Armagh has now battled against two clusters of coronavirus. 

A member of staff tested positive and three close staff contacts are self-isolating as a precaution, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust said.

It added: ‘Covid-19 is rising again in our community. We urgently appeal to everyone to wash their hands, cover their face and maintain social distancing.’

The ward is closed to admissions and trust staff are working closely with the Public Health Agency to manage the situation.

Twenty members of staff at Craigavon Hospital in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, are self-isolating after three staff in the hospital’s respiratory emergency department tested positive for the virus. Pictured: Entrance to Craigavon Hospital.

Following recent Covid-19 cases in Craigavon’s emergency department, some staff are isolating at home as a precaution.

The Trust tweeted: ‘With reduced staff, longer waiting times more likely but will keep to minimum.

‘Emergency department remains open but is busy – only attend if urgent condition requiring emergency treatment and no alternative.’

The Trust confirmed three staff members at the hospital’s respiratory emergency department tested positive for the virus.

On Tuesday, 20 members of staff were self-isolating as a precaution, the Trust said. 

‘At this stage it is understood that the infection may have transferred in a social setting, ie not within the Emergency Department (ED),’ the Trust said.

‘Staff in the ED wear full personal protective equipment when treating patients, therefore we do not believe there is any risk to patients at this time.

‘The ED in Craigavon remains open but is extremely busy and we would urge the public only to attend if there is no other alternative.’

New restrictions are now in place in Northern Ireland after the department of health's daily coronavirus infection figures revealed 359 individuals had tested positive for Covid-19 in the last seven days. (Stock image)

New restrictions are now in place in Northern Ireland after the department of health’s daily coronavirus infection figures revealed 359 individuals had tested positive for Covid-19 in the last seven days. (Stock image)

Another 47 people have tested positive across Northern Ireland, the department of health said, bringing the overall tally to 6,823. No new deaths were reported.

According to the department of health’s daily coronavirus infection figures, 359 individuals have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last seven days.

The highest number of cases over the last seven days have been in the Mid and East Antrim Council area (95) followed by Belfast (76) and Antrim and Newtownabbey (44).          

The current estimate of the virus reproduction number in Northern Ireland is 1.0 – 1.6 according to the region’s department of health.

Last week 60 police officers in Northern Ireland had to undergo testing for Covid-19 following an outbreak at Antrim and Newtonabbey police stations.

A total of eight have been diagnosed with the infection, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said.   

On Thursday health minister Robin Swann announced new restrictions aimed at curbing the infection rate in Northern Ireland. 

Under the new restrictions, thee number of people meeting indoors is to be reduced to six from no more than two households, and the limit on numbers at outdoor gatherings will be slashed in half from 30 to 15. 

Mr Swann also announced there would be focused PSNI enforcement of coronavirus regulations in hotspot areas. 

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