Five patients from two hospitals in the Southern Trust have died after testing positive for Coronavirus, it has been confirmed.
Two patients connected to the Haematology Ward at Craigavon Area Hospital and three patients connected to the Male Medical Ward at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry sadly passed away with a positive diagnosis of Covid-19, the Trust said in a statement.
To date, six patients connected to Craigavon Area Hospital's Haematology Ward have died after testing positive for Covid-19, while 14 patients have tested positive, as well as 23 staff members.
A total of 45 other staff members have been identified as potential contacts and are currently self- isolating.
Meanwhile in Daisy Hill, 11 patients connected to Male Medical Ward as well as 21 staff have tested positive for Covid-19. Three people have sadly passed away.
There are 67 staff contacts currently off and self-isolating. Two staff members who tested positive are connected to theatres in Daisy Hill. Due to the impact on staffing, some elective surgery lists at the start of next week will be postponed.
Trust Chief Executive, Mr Shane Devlin said: “On behalf of all our staff, we pass on our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of patients who have passed away. Our immediate priority is to manage the serious impact of Covid-19 in our community and in our facilities.
"We have sought independent advice from both the NI Public Health Agency and Public Health England to make sure that our management is of the highest standard and we are sharing our learning with other Trusts across Northern Ireland.”
