Two Craigavon Hospital patients die with Covid-19

Two of the haematology patients at Craigavon Area Hospital, who were diagnosed with Covid-19, have died in the past 48 hours.

The Southern Trust said a third patient, who had been discharged from the ward, had also died but the virus was not the primary cause of death.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Southern Trust said, “We can confirm that two patients connected to the Haematology Ward, and who had tested positive for Covid19, have died within the last 48 hours.

“We are profoundly sorry about these deaths and extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of those who have passed away.

“A third patient, who had been treated on the Haematology Ward, was discharged home and has since sadly passed away with a Covid19 positive diagnosis, but this was not the primary cause of death.”

On Wednesday, visiting at the hospital was suspended after a third outbreak of Covid-19 was detected.

The total number of patients connected to the Haematology Ward at Craigavon Area Hospital who have tested positive remains at 14.

Seventeen members of staff have tested positive, and are currently off and self-isolating.

Forty-two staff members have been identified as potential contacts, and are currently self-isolating.

The Ward remains closed to new admissions.

A cluster has been confirmed in Ward 3 South, where two members of staff and one patient have tested positive. There are currently 14 staff members self-isolating.

The spokesman continued, “There are currently 56 staff who are connected with clusters at Craigavon Area Hospital who are off self isolating.

“There are other staff across the Trust self-isolating, and these are a mix of clinical and non-clinical staff.

“This will generally relate to family/social contacts where guidelines require a period of 14 day self-isolation.

“This has been on-going since the start of the pandemic, and we expect will continue throughout the winter.”