A COVID-19 outbreak has been confirmed at Hairmyres Hospital with frontline staff said to be at breaking point.
It was confirmed to the East Kilbride News on Monday afternoon that patients linked to Ward 16 had tested positive for the virus.
Health bosses could not confirm the number of those affected, but a source told us at least six patients had been diagnosed with the deadly disease over the weekend.
Russell Coulthard, director of hospital services at the hospital, told the East KIlbride News: “The situation continues to be monitored very closely.”
As a result of the outbreak, several hospital staff are now believed to be self-isolating at home, with the ward closed for cleaning and transfers not permitted.
Now track and trace staff are racing against the clock to identify any potential contacts of those affected to minimise the potential spread of the virus.
The son of an elderly patient at the hospital told the News: “It’s deeply worrying.
“From what we were told, the hospital is in chaos and there isn’t enough being done to stop this disease spreading.
"A nurse phoned me on Saturday night to inform me that my dad had a positive COVID test – she was just about in tears explaining the chaos the hospital is in.
“She told me there are outbreaks all over the hospital and that this isn’t an isolated incident. It’s worrying.
“You have loved ones in hospital and you assume they are safe in there. They are not.
“Staff are panicking and the virus is taking a hold of Hairmyres.”
Our source claims his 81-year-old father was admitted to Hairmyres last Saturday (January 16) due to a recurring infection.
After his condition improved, he was moved to Ward 16 – an isolation ward – on Wednesday and given a COVID test before entering, which returned a negative reading.
He was again tested on Friday, which also showed he did not have the disease. But the family were then told by staff that somebody in Ward 16 had tested positive.
He added: “There’s six people in that ward.
“We were told the person with the positive result was removed from the ward. But on Saturday evening, dad tested positive for COVID.
“He’s caught the virus in the hospital. Just the same way the other person probably did.”
Dr Lisa Cameron MP said she had been contacted by a number of constituents regarding the outbreak, telling us that she had asked for clarification from the health board.
Mr Coulthard confirmed with the News that COVID-19 cases had been identified in Ward 16.
He also confirmed the ward was closed to new admissions and transfers, with strict control measures in place to reduce the risk of infection.
He added: “The safety of our patients and staff is of paramount importance, and we’d like to reassure everyone that we are taking all necessary action to ensure safe and effective patient care at this time.
“Our infection prevention and control team is in the process of identifying all close contacts of the cases who are being given public health advice and being told to self-isolate.
"We wish to remind people of the key symptoms of COVID-19 – a new continuous cough, high temperature and/or loss of taste or smell. Anyone who develops any of these symptoms should book a test and self-isolate immediately.”
