36 CATCH KILLER BUG AT STATION 6
26 NHS staff and 10 patients fall victim at Ayr Hospital as virus spreads “like wildfire”
Coronavirus has infected 36 people inside a protected ‘ Green Zone’ within Ayr Hospital.
A total of 26 staff connected to Station 6 and 10 patients being treated for other health issues were struck down.
The hotspot is in the constituency of Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman ( left). A source said it spread like “wildfire.”
A hospital ward unconnected with the virus has been devastated by COVID- 19.
A total of 36 people fell victim inside Ayr Hospital.
We can reveal 26 staff and 10 sick patients fell ill with coronavirus as it “spread like wildfire.”
The medical hotspot on the second floor can only now be made public by the Ayrshire Post.
It will confirm fears in the community there are people consciously trying to stay away from hospitals for other treatment.
The ward affected was Station 6 and our source said: “It was terrible to see.
“This ward was in a Green Zone, yet the virus spread like wildfire.
“People were really worried but the health board obviously took a decision not to tell anybody, which I think they should have done.
“The number of staff, including nurses, shocked everyone.”
Ayr Hospital says the affected ward is back running normally after new anti- infection measures were introduced.
And Dr Crawford McGuf fie, Medical Director of NHS Ayrshire, said outbreaks can happen because some people have no symptoms.
He confirmed a total of ten patients and 26 staff “connected” to the ward had tested positive.
Dr McGuffie insisted: “NHS Ayrshire and Arran has robust processes in place to manage cases of COVID- 19 amongst patients and staff to reduce the risk of outbreaks developing.
“Due to the nature of the incubation period, the fact that individuals can spread the virus before they have become symptomatic, and the fact that high numbers of people experience very mild symptoms, outbreaks of COVID- 19 will remain an ongoing risk in healthcare as long as the virus is circulating in the wider community.
“Appropriate infection prevention and control measures, including hand hygiene, social distancing and PPE are all important in reducing this risk.
“When outbreaks occur, we respond promptly to minimise the risk.”
The health board will not say precisely when the first Station 6 case became evident, but say it was “recent.”
Mr McGuffie added: “Further appropriate infection prevention and control measures were implemented and affected patients and their families were informed of the outbreak. The ward has now returned to normal working.”
Health Protection Scotland were notified.
Ayrshire MSP Brian Whittle, left, revealed he was in regular contact with the NHS, saying: “I will discuss whether there are any steps to avoid incidences of hospital transmission.
“It’s much harder to prevent the spread in a hospital or care home environment because it’s impossible to take care of someone and maintain social distance.
“Hospitals have been taking unprecedented steps to reduce the spread, from banning visitors to using far more personal protective equipment, but there is still more that can be done.
“Hearing stories about people contracting the virus in hospital might put people off seeking urgent treatment.
“People should not ignore worrying symptoms or put off treatment if your doctor says you need it now.
“The last thing anyone wants is for fear of the virus to be more harmful than the virus itself.”
The hotspot is in health secretary Jeane Freeman’s constituency and she said: “Health Boards are implementing a range of measures to minimise any potential risk of coronavirus transmission in hospital.
“All A& E departments and assessment units have a Red Zones for patients who are suspected or confirmed as having Covid- 19, and Green Zones for non- Covid patients. This ensures, as much as possible, that no patients are at risk of transmission of infection.”
* Were you a patient or staff in Station 6 with the virus? Mail in confidence to news@ayrshirepost.co.uk