Covid cases stop visitors at wards
Visitors have to stay away from two Bay of Plenty hospital wards after patients and staff tested positive for Covid.
The wards affected are Rotorua Hospital’s Older Persons and Rehabilitation (OPRS) Service and Taupō Hospital’s Inpatient Unit.
Lakes DHB announced the closures in the wake of a patient in the Taupō unit testing positive on Tuesday, before being transferred to Rotorua Hospital as per normal procedure.
The Taupō Inpatient Unit is now closed to visitors. Two possible close contacts were isolated in single rooms and all patients in the ward have been tested.
In Rotorua Hospital’s OPRS Unit, routine testing yesterday found two patients were positive with Covid-19. Eighteen patients have since tested positive and the ward is closed to new admissions.
Nine staff members in OPRS have also tested positive and are recuperating at home.
As soon as the first patients tested positive in OPRS, the unit was closed to visitors and the plan to manage the outbreak was initiated, Lakes DHB chief operating officer Alan Wilson said.
This included infection prevention control measures and informing the whā nau of patients.
Wilson said tracing of the initial infection is underway but it is unlikely the source of the Covid entering the unit can be found.
‘‘This is just one of the challenges that we face as we try as a country and health service to live with Covid. It is therefore critical that all staff, visitors and support people must continue to wear masks appropriately when in hospital to protect patients and staff.
‘‘It is also a reminder that Covid remains an issue in our community and people should remain vigilant — wear masks, stay two metres away from people you don’t know, wash your hands frequently and make sure to get your full course of Covid immunisations.
‘‘While most people who are healthy and vaccinated will have milder illness, Covid is potentially more dangerous for people who are unwell and already in hospital.’’
Classifieds
0800 835 323 WaikatoClassifieds@stuff.co.nz
Advertising
027 602 2764 j.snooks@stuff.co.nz
General inquiries
07 849 6180 500 Anglesea St, Hamilton 3204