Hospital staff self-isolate after COVID-19 outbreak

Staff at Newtown Hospital have been forced to self isolate due to to an outbreak of Covid-19.

It is understood that up to 20 people who work at Newtown’s Montgomery County Infirmary, from cleaners to nurses, are now self-isolating.

A spokesperson for Powys Teaching Health Board, (PTHB) said: “Several members of staff at Montgomeryshire County Infirmary have tested positive for COVID-19 or have the symptoms of COVID-19.

“These include new continuous cough, fever, and loss of sense of taste or smell.

“In line with our policies, members of staff with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 are advised to self-isolate, and support is available through our Occupational Health Team.”

They added:  “During May we have seen a number of patients admitted to Montgomeryshire County Infirmary in Newtown testing positive for COVID-19 through our patient testing programme for symptomatic patients.

“Our priority remains to provide the highest standards of care for our patients, whilst ensuring that infection and prevention control procedures are followed.”

This week the Welsh Government has announced a further expansion of testing in Wales.

This includes a new online portal to request home testing kits for members of the public and critical workers with symptoms.

“This is available alongside our local testing programme for hospital inpatients, care home staff and residents and key workers.

 

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporting Service