Gwynedd hospitals hit by new Covid outbreak on wards:
34 PATIENTS ON 2 SITES
HEALTH chiefs are dealing with Covid-19 outbreaks at two North Wales hospitals. A total of 34 patients are being cared for across Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor and Ysbyty Eryri in Caernarfon, with 14 of those said to have caught the virus in hospital.
Politicians and health bosses said it showed the virus has not gone away as First Minister Mark Drakeford confirmed that there were no changes to Covid-19 restrictions in Wales for the time being.
Gill Harris, executive director of nursing and midwifery at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB), said: “We are currently managing a Covid-19 outbreak on two medical wards at Ysbyty Gwynedd and a ward at Ysbyty Eryri in Caernarfon.
“As of this morning, we are caring for 34 patients with Covid-19 infection across both sites, of which we currently have 14 patients which are confirmed hospital acquired infection.
“A programme of staff and patient testing is under way and our priority is to bring this outbreak to a close as soon as possible.
“All patients who have tested positive are being appropriately isolated and the wards affected are currently closed to admissions and visitors.”
Ms Harris said that, in recent weeks, cases of Covid-19 have continued to increase in the community, with a rise in patients admitted to hospitals needing treatment due to contracting the virus.
“This is a timely reminder that the virus has not gone away and we would urge anyone who has not received their vaccination to visit our website to book an appointment or visit one of our drop in clinics,” she said.
“As well as an increase in patients needing treatment for Covid-19, we are experiencing significant pressure within our emergency departments. We are seeing patients who are extremely poorly, many of who are elderly.
“Please help us by choosing the right place to receive advice and care to ensure that our hospitals are not overwhelmed and enable us to provide timely treatment for patients most in need.
“Please choose well and consider your local pharmacy, your GP, or a Minor Injury Unit, and call NHS 111 for advice.
“Only attend our hospital sites if it is absolutely necessary to help us reduce the risk of infection. Visiting arrangements must be made directly with the ward.
“An individual risk assessment must be completed both in advance of and on arrival of an agreed visit in order to keep patients, staff and visitors safe.
“Patients should also continue to attend appointments and planned surgery unless they are told otherwise.”
Sian Gwenllian, Plaid Cymru MS for Arfon, said: “These latest hospital outbreaks are a terrible reminder that COVID is not gone, and great care is still needed.
“This is of particular concern given the backlog that we know that every hospital is facing, and the increased pressure from so many visitors to tourist areas such as north west Wales.”
Calling for an independent inquiry into the Welsh Government’s handling of the pandemic, a Welsh Conservative spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with those concerned, from the patients and their families to staff in the two hospitals.”