More cases of coronavirus confirmed in Pinderfields Hospital outbreak

A further nine people have tested positive for coronavirus at Pinderfields Hospital.

Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, confirmed earlier this week that two patients and four members of staff on a ward had tested positive for the virus.

But following further testing, they have now confirmed that a further three patients and six members of staff have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of cases to 15.

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The affected cases are among staff and patients on Ward 45A, a respiratory ward.

More cases of coronavirus confirmed in Pinderfields Hospital outbreakMore cases of coronavirus confirmed in Pinderfields Hospital outbreak
More cases of coronavirus confirmed in Pinderfields Hospital outbreak

The ward has now been temporarily closed to allow for a deep clean, and all ward staff have been asked to self-isolate at home.

New patients are being treated on an alternative ward, and work is underway to contact all patients who have recently been discharged.

In a statement, the Trust said: "Further to our statement earlier this week, we can confirm 5 patients and 10 staff from Ward 45A (one of our respiratory wards) have now tested positive for Covid-19.

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"Working closely with our partners and Public Health England, the Trust has undertaken a rigorous process this week to understand what the routes of transmission may have been and to ensure we minimise any further transmission, including testing any patients and staff who may have had contact with the positive cases.

"We have taken the strongest measures possible to keep our staff and patients safe.

"We have temporarily closed Ward 45A so it can receive a deep clean, and all ward staff have been asked to self-isolate at home. New respiratory patients are receiving care on an alternative ward at Pinderfields.

"All patients and their families on Ward 45A have been informed. We have also been following through all patients who have been discharged in the last couple of weeks, and asking them to self-isolate where necessary.

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"We fully appreciate that patients and their families may be worried.

"We would once again like to stress that we have put in place a range of measures to ensure the safety of those coming to our sites. We continue to monitor the situation very closely.

"We can confirm all other areas of the Trust are currently operating as they were previously, and patients should feel able to attend already booked appointments or procedures as planned."

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