The number of patients with COVID-19 at hospitals in Herefordshire has fallen, but visiting restrictions remain in place to keep staff and patients safe.
Latest data released by NHS England yesterday (Thursday) shows that on the 25th January, a total of 27 patients were reported as having COVID-19 at hospitals in Herefordshire (Wye Valley NHS Trust). This is a fall from the previous week (18th January) when 36 patients were reported as having COVID-19. There has been a slight increase in the number of patients requiring mechanical ventilation at hospital, with latest data showing that on the 25th January, one patient was requiring mechanical ventilation for COVID-19 at hospital in Herefordshire. This is an increase from the previous week (18th January), when no patients were reported as requiring mechanical ventilation.
Patients attending Hereford County Hospital and other Wye Valley NHS Trust buildings are reminded that they must continue to wear face masks when on Trust premises.
Although national changes mean you don’t have to wear a face covering in public spaces from this Thursday, January 27, this does not cover NHS hospitals and clinics.
Last week the Secretary of State for Health, Sajid Javid, announced that from this Thursday, there will be no legal mandate to wear a face mask – although he suggested that they are worn in enclosed, crowded places, especially when you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet.
He also announced the government had ended its guidance on working from home.
However, the wearing of facemasks continues in NHS premises and all patients, and the very limited number of visitors attending WVT buildings, will be required to wear a face mask unless they are medically exempt.
“We thank all our patients – both those who are on our wards and those who visit our clinics as out patients – for their understanding,” said Laura Weston, the Trust’s Infection Prevention lead.
“Omicron is very easily transmissible. We have a duty of care to all our patients, some of whom are very sick, and we need to do everything in our powers to protect them and keep them safe,” she added.
The Trust will have staff members at the entrance to its hospitals with face masks for patients/visitors to wear when they enter the premises.
Wye Valley NHS Trust has explained the current visiting restrictions and exceptions that are in place at hospitals in Herefordshire. (Article released 13th January).
It comes as a small number of wards at hospitals in the county, including Hereford County Hospital, have had to be closed to new admissions due to outbreaks of COVID-19 within the hospital. These outbreaks and increases in cases tie in with Herefordshire seeing a record number of new cases of the virus at the start of this year.
A statement from Wye Valley NHS Trust says:
Visiting at Wye Valley NHS Trust’s hospitals/wards in Herefordshire, including Hereford County Hospital, Ross, Leominster and Bromyard Community Hospitals remains suspended.
There are some areas with exceptions in place, including on compassionate grounds, which must be agreed with the nurse in charge, and these are listed on the Trust’s website page – https://www.wyevalley.nhs.uk/about-us/our-performance/infection-prevention/coronavirus-public-health-england-advice/visiting-during-covid-19.aspx
The Trust is seeing an increase in hospital inpatient COVID-19 confirmed cases, which reflects the increase of cases in the community, and a small number of its wards are currently closed to admissions due to inpatient cases of COVID-19.
These patients are being cared for in isolation and Covid-19 testing for all inpatients on these ward has been carried out. The Trust has also undertaken ward staff testing.
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/or test positive for COVID-19 in line with the current Government testing guidelines.
We would also like to remind people that the best way to prevent becoming seriously ill with Covid-19 is to ensure you take up the offer for a first, second or booster vaccination if you are eligible.
