NEWS | Number of patients with COVID-19 at hospital in Herefordshire has risen

The number of patients with COVID-19 at hospital in Herefordshire (Wye Valley NHS Trust) has risen, data released by NHS England has confirmed.

Latest data shows that on the 26th October, a total of 26 patients had COVID-19 at Hereford County Hospital (Wye Valley NHS Trust). That’s an increase from 23 the previous week. One bit of good news is that the number of patients requiring mechanical ventilation for COVID-19 has fallen, with no patients currently receiving mechanical ventilation, compared to one patient last week.

However, COVID-19 isn’t the only issue facing Hereford County Hospital at present. Visiting restrictions have been put in place on a ward at the hospital due to diarrhoea and vomiting.

Visiting to Teme Ward at the hospital has been stopped to prevent the further spread of diarrhoea and vomiting which is affecting some patients.

As a precautionary measure, visiting to the adjacent respiratory amber ward has also been suspended due to the proximity of the two wards and the facilities they both share.

This kind of outbreak comes from within the community and is often seen this time of year. Experience has shown that restricting visiting can lessen the chance of spread to both patients and visitors and other areas of the hospital.

It is very important that any visitors with diarrhoea and/or vomiting do not visit other areas of the hospital until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours. Visitors to all areas of the hospital are requested to practice good hand hygiene and use the alcohol gels available in all wards/departments in order to prevent any further spread of infection.

We ask that you only come to the hospital if you really need to. Anyone who has experienced symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting in the previous 48 hours should not visit any of the Hospitals.

Wye Valley NHS Trust thanks visitors for their understanding during this period and to emphasise that these restrictions are in place to protect our patients, as part of a zero tolerance approach to healthcare associated infections.

There are some simple steps that the public can take to help stop a norovirus spreading:

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water, particularly after using the toilet, and before preparing food. If you’re in an NHS facility, pay attention to hand hygiene notices such as using hand gel upon entering and leaving a ward.
• Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated with a norovirus. It is best to use a bleach-based household cleaner. Always follow the instructions on the cleaning product.
• Flush away any infected faeces or vomit in the toilet. You should also keep the surrounding toilet area clean and hygienic.
• Wash any clothing, or linens, which could have become contaminated with a norovirus. Washing with hot, soapy water will help to ensure that the virus is killed.

Although people usually recover without treatment in 24-72 hours, it is important to stay away from work, school, college or any social gatherings until you have been free of symptoms for at least 48 hours.

A ward at Hereford County Hospital has been closed after a small number of patients tested positive for COVID-19, a spokesperson for Wye Valley NHS Trust confirmed to Your Herefordshire.

The spokesperson said:

“Arrow Ward at Hereford County Hospital is temporarily closed to visitors due to a small number of inpatient cases of COVID-19.

“These patients are being cared for in isolation and Covid-19 testing for all inpatients on this ward has been carried out. The Trust has also undertaken ward staff and visitor contact tracing.

“Patient safety is paramount and the Trust has stringent infection prevention and control measures in place to help minimise the transmission of this virus within its hospitals. The Trust has tried and tested plans in place and our hospital is set up to care for coronavirus patients.

“All inpatients are tested for Covid-19 on admission to hospital and cared for in isolation if their test is positive. This testing is also undertaken during the hospital stay and when patients need to be transferred to care homes or a community hospital.

“Enhanced cleaning and decontamination regimes are in place across the Trust and staff are required to wear personal protective equipment when caring for patients and follow hand hygiene practices, in line with The UK Health Security Agency guidance, to provide the safest possible care to patients.

“We would like to thank local residents for following the Governments’ advice and guidance. It is important that we continue to do this, in particular staying at home if you have COVID-19 symptoms and getting PCR tested.”