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

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.

“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.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

Subscribe to the Edinburgh Evening News online and enjoy unlimited access to trusted, fact-checked news and sport from Edinburgh and the Lothians. Visit https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director