Western General Covid outbreak: Another patient dies from coronavirus and three more test positive

Another patient has died due to the Covid-19 outbreak at a ward at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.

In a statement released on Monday, NHS Lothian said: “Sadly, one further patient has died who had tested positive for the virus.

“Our condolences are with their family at this very difficult time. We are unable to provide further details to respect and maintain patient confidentiality but can confirm the total number of deaths remains under five.

“A further three patients have tested positive for Covid-19. Six members of staff have also been confirmed as having Covid-19 and are self-isolating. The outbreak is confined to a single ward which remains closed to new admissions and visitors while investigations continue.

“Further testing is being carried out and contact tracing for all new confirmed cases is underway. Contact tracing for previously confirmed patient cases (as at 09.10.20) is complete and contacts have been advised to self-isolate for 14 days, from the time of their contact with a Covid-19 case, and provided with all necessary guidance and advice.”

Enhanced infection control measures are in place to ensure patient and visitor safety across the Western General Hospital. All other hospital wards are open and continuing to treat patients safely.

Dr Donald Inverarity, Consultant Microbiologist, NHS Lothian, and Chair of the Incident Management Team (IMT), said: “We are greatly concerned that another patient has died and wish again to express our condolences to their grieving family.

“NHS Lothian responded promptly, implementing a range of infection control measures, which we believe has contained the outbreak to one ward.

Another patient has died due to the coronavirus outbreak in a ward at Edinburgh's Western General Hospital.

“Patient safety is our main priority and we want to reassure patients attending our hospitals that they should continue to come for treatment.

"It is very important in particular, that patients undergoing treatment for cancer continue to attend their appointments and we assure them that it is safe to do so.

“Enhanced infection control measures are in place throughout the hospital. All outpatients, visitors and staff are required to wear face coverings or masks in all areas and there are hand sanitising stations throughout the hospital. We are also conducting increased Covid-19 screening of staff and patients.

“The situation continues to be closely reviewed and monitored.”

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