Covid deaths at Western General
An outbreak of Covid- 19 in a ward at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh has already left some patients dead.
The oncology ward at the hospital has been closed to new admissions and discharges while investigations by the health board are under way and to allow tests to be carried out.
In a statement, NHS Lothian said :“Sadly, a very small number of patients, who had tested positive for the virus, have since died.
"* Our thoughts are with their family at this sad time.
"We are unable to be specific about the number because the total is fewer than five."
It continued :“Six other patients have been confirmed with Covid- 19 and the oncology ward has been closed to new admissions and discharges while investigations are under way and to allow tests to be carried out.
"All patients have been told of the outbreak and contact tracing, where necessary for visitors or outpatients, is being carried out by NHS Lothian’s health protection team and the nationwide Test and Protect teams.”
NHS Lothian said a multidisciplinar y incident management team ( IMT) has been set up and “a series of robust and enhanced infection control measures have been put in place in the ward”.
Rounds of routine Covid- 19 screening of staff and patients are being carried out as part of t he enhanced outbreak response to prevent the spread of the virus.
Patients who would normally return home for the weekend to spend time with families and go back to the hospital on a Monday have been asked to remain in the hospital to reduce the risk of further transmission.
Dr Donald Inverarity, Consultant Microbiologist, NHS Lothian, and chair of the IMT, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased and I would like to express our sincere condolences.
“A multidisciplinar y incident management team ( IMT) was immediately established and all necessar y infection control measures are in place.
"The situation will continue to be monitored very closely.
"Patient safety is our main priority and while we understand that the request not to go home for the weekend may be upsetting, it is necessary.”