5 patients test positive for COVID-19 as Craigavon Area Hospital hit by second Coronavirus cluster

By Q Radio News and PA Reporter

Two COVID-19 clusters have been confirmed at Craigavon Area Hospital, one in the Haematology department and the other in the respiratory ED department.

Five  patients on the haematology ward have tested positive for the virus, with one further in patient identified.

One member of staff on the haematology ward has tested positive with three close contacts isolating.

In a statement, the Southern Area Trust said: "The ward is currently closed to admission. Trust staff are working closely with the Public Health Agency to manage the situation and the safety of both patients and staff remains a priority. There will be no routine visiting to the ward until further notice unless in exceptional circumstances."

Robin Swann said he was being kept up to date about the outbreak at the Southern Trust.

Robin Swann

“There will be no stone left unturned with regards to the work being done there.”

He added: “It does show the fragile place our heath service is in, especially as we start to reopen.”

He said the proper use of protective equipment and following guidance was vitally important.

“It is about preparing for the worst but working for the best,” he said.

He said there was no particular geographical centre to the new cases but there had been a number in Belfast.

Meanwhile, twenty members of staff on the respiratory emergency ward at Craigavon Hospital are self-isolating after colleagues tested positive for Covid-19.

The Southern Health Trust has confirmed that three staff members at the hospital’s respiratory emergency department have tested positive for the virus.

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

In a statement, the Trust said any other members of staff who have been in close contact with the confirmed cases are being tested and are currently at home isolating as a precaution.

“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.”

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.