Case prompts hospital to close temporarily to new admissions

A Perthshire hospital has been forced to temporarily close to new admissions due to a case of coronavirus.

St Margaret’s Community Hospital in Auchterarder will not accept any new patients for seven days in response to the case.

Local politicians have described the case as worrying for those affected and their families.

NHS Tayside issued a statement announcing the move.

A spokesman said: “St Margaret’s Community Hospital in Auchterarder will not be accepting new admissions for seven days due to a single case of Covid-19.

“The 10-bed hospital has taken this move as a precautionary measure and all appropriate infection prevention and control measures have been put in place.

“Visiting has also been temporarily suspended at the hospital to help minimise the spread of the virus.”

“Visiting has also been temporarily suspended. ST MARGARET’S SPOKESMAN

MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife region, Liz Smith, believes the temporary closure underlines the importance of the track and trace system.

She said: “Given all the recent concerns which have been highlighted across Scotland, this is no doubt in the best interests of patient and public safety.

“That is why every effort has to be made to improve track and trace and to ensure many more people have access to local Covid-19 testing.”

SNP MSP Roseanna Cunningham added: “This is very concerning news indeed, particularly for the staff and patients at St Margaret’s and their families.

“I have already been in touch with the health secretary and I know that all the relevant steps will be taken to trace the path by which the virus entered the hospital.”

Councillor Tom Gray of the Strathallan ward said he is “very alarmed” to have learned of the case.