Patients contacted by officials after hospital worker tests positive

Patient satan NHS Highland hospital have been contacted after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19.

They were working at Lorn and Islands Hospital in Oban when the virus was picked up during routine staff screening.

The member of staff was said to have been wearing full PPE while caring for patients.

Those in close contact with the member of staff have now been contacted as a precautionary measure.

An NHS spokesman said: “NHS Highland can confirm that a member of staff employed and working in Lorn and Islands Hospital in Oban has tested positive for Covid-19.

‘‘ This was picked up during routine staff screening. The member of staff concerned wore PPE while working and this will have protected others.

“A small number of patients, who the staff member had been caring for, have been informed of the situation purely as a precautionary measure.”

The case emerged days after a staff member within the Ruthven Ward at New Craigs Hospital in Inverness tested positive for Covid-19.

A small number of people have now been placed into isolation following an investigation by NHS officials into the use of adequate PPE and clinical risk assessments.

An NHS Highland spokesman added: “We take infection control procedures extremely seriously and have a wide range of measures in place for the safety of staff, patients and visitors.

“We have hand gel available at the entrance to the hospital and there is a trolley available at each ward entrance with hand gel and masks for patients and visitors, and hand gel is also available when exiting a ward.

“Our staff also wear PPE, when required, and visitors and staff are asked to wear masks within the hospital.

‘‘If any hospital patients or visitors do have any concerns then we would encourage them to raise these with a member of staff.”

Meanwhile, it emerged on Saturday that a further four residents have died in a coronavirus outbreak at a care home in East Whitburn, West Lothian.

Operators HC-One confirmed 11 people have now died with Covid-19 at Redmill Care Home.

In addition to those who died, as many as 35 residents and 20 staff members are currently thought to h av e the virus.

NHS Lothian is leading an investigation into the outbreak and another at the Milford House care home in Edinburgh.

Scottish Labour MSP for Lothian, Neil Findlay, said he is calling on the Care Inspec torate to begin an urgent investigation.

Scene of the outbreak, the Lorn and Islands Hospital.