Covid outbreak at St Helier Hospital: Visits are restricted and ambulances diverted to nearby A&Es after six patients test positive over weekend
- Hospital bosses have put St Helier Hospital in Surrey in partial lockdown today
- The infections were found over the weekend and investigation has been started
- It is understood six patients were infected but there is concern virus got into ICU
A hospital is dealing with an outbreak of Covid-19 which has infected seriously ill patients in its intensive care unit and on a renal ward.
Hospital bosses have placed St Helier Hospital in Surrey in partial lockdown, restricting visitors and diverting ambulances from its A&E unit.
The infections were found over the weekend and a major investigation has been launched into how the infection got into patients being treated for other illnesses.
It is believed six patients were infected but there is concern the virus got into the intensive care unit which houses the most sick patients.
Bosses at St Helier Hospital in Surrey have placed the site in partial lockdown, restricting visitors and diverting ambulances from its A&E unit
A hospital source said: ‘Infection control in intensive care is very strict. It’s very concerning that people fighting for their life already have become infected.’
The Government has been under pressure for months to introduce routine weekly testing of hospital staff for coronavirus.
Last week the House of Commons Health Committee added its weight to the call for regular testing to protect patients.
Covid infections have hit several other hospitals in recent weeks with the finger being pointed at staff spreading the virus.
It is believed hundreds of patients have died during the pandemic from hospital acquired Covid passed on by staff.
A spokesman for Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust said: A small number of patients have tested positive for COVID-19 during admission to the Renal Department and Intensive Care Unit at St Helier Hospital.
‘The safety and wellbeing of our patients and staff is our priority and those who tested positive have been isolated from other patients, with arrangements in place to maintain safe and high-quality care.’
They added: ‘We continue to follow all relevant infection prevention and control guidelines.
‘Visiting has been restricted for some areas, as soon as clinicians are confident that the measures can be lifted in a way that is safe for patients and staff, they will be.’