The number of patients with COVID-19 at hospital in Herefordshire (Wye Valley NHS Trust) remains the same as last week, that’s despite concerns over a rise in hospitalisations across the UK.
Data released by NHS England shows that 23 patients had COVID-19 at hospital in Herefordshire on 19th October, the same number as the previous week. However there has been an increase in the number of patients requiring mechanical ventilation. On 19th October, one patient was requiring mechanical ventilation for COVID-19. This is an increase on last week when no patients were requiring mechanical ventilation at hospital in the county.
It comes as weekly hospitalisations in the UK show a 15.4% increase week on week, with 6,315 patients admitted to hospital in the seven day period ending 17th October. Despite the increase, it should be reminded that these levels are still far below those seen earlier in the year. The Government has admitted that it is keeping a close eye on case numbers, with more than 50,000 cases recorded in the United Kingdom yesterday.
Hospital ward closed as patients test positive for COVID-19
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.”
