A Welsh hospital has taken the decision to lift a ban on visitors - less than week after it was put in place to protect staff and patients against an increased risk of Covid-19 transmission.
Last Thursday (July 14) Hywel Dda University Health Board announced an immediate halt on visiting at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen following a formal review of coronavirus activity at the site. You can keep up to date with the latest Carmarthenshire news by signing up to the local newsletter here.
This followed the same decision being applied to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest at the beginning of July. All visiting was paused at both hospitals apart from end-of-life visits and any considered necessary through agreement with the ward sister or charge nurse.
Read more: Lives ‘will be lost’ if hospital A&E is shut down, campaigners warn
Visiting was still permitted during this time at the health board’s two other main hospitals, at Bronglais in Aberystwyth and Prince Philip in Llanelli, but by appointment only. From Wednesday, the restrictions in place on visitors to Glangwili and Withybush will be lifted, although it will remain a requirement to wear masks at both sites.
“Last week we had to make the decision to extend measures at Glangwili Hospital in addition to Withybush Hospital to reduce the risk to our patients and staff and we thank people for their support and co-operation,” said Mandy Rayani, director of nursing, quality and patient experience at Hywel Dda University Health Board.
“We can all continue to take protective measures to reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19 to protect vulnerable people and the NHS. We strongly advise anyone in our locality who has the classic symptoms, or who suspects they may have Covid-19, to isolate and take an LFD test. If positive, we urge people to isolate – this will help you to rest and recover while protecting others from risk of transmission.”
People are reminded that if they have any symptoms of Covid-19 they can still book a test in Wales for free, until the end of this month, either online by searching ‘order rapid lateral flow kit’, or by calling 119 between the hours of 7am and 11pm.
Read next:
- Six taken to hospital after two-car crash
- Anger at Plaid for allowing MP who assaulted his wife to rejoin party
- Grease to be shown on huge outdoor screen at Welsh castle
- Striking mural remembering Wales’ mining history appears in village
- The Welsh teen who's about to attend one of the best schools in the world
