Patients die after coronavirus outbreak on cancer ward

A number of patients in a cancer ward have died in hospital after a coronavirus outbreak and more have tested positive for the virus. 

NHS Lothian have not confirmed how many died but said it was fewer than five and a ‘very small number’ of patients.

The health board is investigating the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh which has had to put measures in place to further contain the outbreak. Another six patients have tested positive for the virus so the hospital has closed the oncology ward to new patients being admitted. The hospital has also asked patients, who would usually be allowed to go home over the weekend and return to hospital on Monday, to stay in hospital the whole week. 

Dr Donald Inverarity, consultant microbiologist at NHS Lothian, said: ‘Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased and I would like to express our sincere condolences."

"A multidisciplinary Incident Management Team was immediately established and all necessary infection control measures are in place. The situation will continue to be reviewed and monitored very closely."

The health board’s Health Protection Team and the nationwide Test and Protect teams are carrying out contact tracing of visitors and outpatients where necessary. Routine coronavirus screening of staff and patients is also taking place as part of an enhanced regime.

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Source: Metro, 10 October 2020