Q Radio News
Two wards have been closed at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald due to Covid-19 outbreaks.
It follows a further eight deaths of patients in Northern Ireland who had previously tested positive for Covid-19 and an additional 1,039 cases of the virus announced on Friday.
The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust said that over the last month, 96 patients had tested positive for the virus on admission to the Ulster Hospital, while another 16 patients had tested positive during their stay.
The South Eastern Trust has confirmed two wards have been closed at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald due to Covid-19.
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) October 1, 2021
Full statement: pic.twitter.com/NmcKzWsMPx
A statement said: “Covid-positive patients are admitted to side rooms/bays which are designated for Covid patients.
“There are a number of designated wards for Covid-positive patients.
“On occasion, non-Covid patients are admitted to these wards due to their clinical condition and requirement for specialist treatment (such as respiratory), however, they are segregated.
“All patients are risk-assessed on admission and prior to placement and are kept under review during their stay. This includes regular testing, as per the PHA (Public Health Agency) guidance.
“Infection prevention and control measures are in place in every ward.”
The trust’s policy is to test patients for the virus on admission to the hospital and on days five to seven of their stay, or if they develop symptoms.
In a post on Twitter, the trust warned that the hospital was under “extreme pressure”, with 150 patients waiting in the emergency department, and 50 more on trollies.
“If your condition is not LIFE THREATENING you will have to wait a very long time,” the tweet said.
Health minister Robin Swann pictured previously at the Ulster Hospital
On Friday morning, there were 342 Covid-positive patients in hospital in Northern Ireland, of whom 33 were in intensive care.
A total of 2,526,802 vaccines have been administered in total.
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